[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]A tennis court made of recycled plastic that floats in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef marine park was made possible by a partnership between the sporting goods giant Adidas and the environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans.
The floating court was introduced to coincide with the Australian Open tennis competition, which is presently taking place in Melbourne, and was made to advertise Adidas’ most recent line of recycled plastic-infused clothing.
The colourful range of clothing is the latest collaboration between the brand and Parley for the Oceans.
It was debuted on the floating tennis court, which was placed in the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest coral reef system – to draw attention to the wider issue of plastic waste.
“The new adidas tennis apparel collection, that will be worn by players during the Australian Open in Melbourne, has been inspired by the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and consists of products from one of our sustainability innovators, Made with Parley Ocean Plastic,” said an Adidas spokesperson.
“We have chosen to launch this collection in the heritage-protected Queensland marine park to raise awareness and positive discussion around how we can help end plastic waste and protect the Great Barrier Reef.”
Adidas worked with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to assemble the floating tennis court on one of the marine authority’s barges.
The court’s surface was made from recycled plastic provided by Parley for the Oceans, which also provides the recycled plastic used in Adidas’ latest tennis collection.
Australian athletes Nathan Cleary, Jess Fox, and Ian Thorpe, as well as model Steph Claire Smith, competed in a match of mixed doubles to commemorate the launch. According to Adidas, every ball was pulled out of the water.
After the Australian Open, the tennis court’s surface will be recycled and used to build a sports court at a school in the neighbouring city of Townsville.
Adidas claims that their most recent tennis line is a part of its initiative to eliminate plastic from its clothing.
According to Shannon Morgan, Pacific Senior Director of Brand at Adidas, “We’re committed to helping eradicate plastic waste and, by 2024, we’ll replace virgin polyester in our goods with recycled polyester whenever possible.”
“To accomplish these aims, we promote open-source collaborations and place a high priority on cooperation over competition to develop long-lasting solutions that go beyond our own business and sphere of influence,” the statement reads.
Parley for the Oceans founder Cyrill Gutsch hopes that the uniqueness of the floating tennis court will draw attention to the issue of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
“Plastic created an ecological crisis that impacts all life, including ours, said Parley for the Oceans founder Cyrill Gutsch.
“Yet it’s human nature to adapt. We get used to even the most horrible things,” he told Dezeen.
“They become irrelevant unless we relate to them on a personal level. That’s why we need these moments where we poke through the bubble of ignorance and get everyone’s attention,” he continued.
“Doing so in a positive and graphic way helps us reconnect to the most important mission that is so deeply programmed into our genes: our own survival. We need to end the destruction of our oceans because we need them to live on this blue planet.”
In the past, Adidas and Parley for the Oceans worked together to produce running shoes and iconic trainers from the 1990s using recycled plastic.
Also, they have teamed up to produce hiking boots and football shirts made of recycled plastic for Real Madrid and Manchester United.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
