Adidas Creates Floating Tennis Court Constructed Out Of Recycled Ocean Plastic
When it comes to saving the planet, Adidas hopes we float and not sink. To raise awareness about the plastic waste issue, the sportswear giant has built a tennis court out of recycled plastics and set it along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
With approval from authorities of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park—home to the largest coral reef system in the world—Adidas and environmental nonprofit Parley for the Oceans floated the structure on one of the park’s barges. The activation comes hand in hand with the launch of Adidas’ latest recycled-plastic tennis collection, worn by athletes at the ongoing Australian Open tennis tournament.
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“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,” an Adidas spokesperson told Dezeen.
Used plastic collected by Parley for the Oceans goes into both the tennis court and pieces in the new eco line. Previously, Adidas also used Parley Ocean material to produce dye-free footwear, LEGO-themed sneakers, and a Manchester United kit.
Adidas says that the new tennis gear itself draws from “the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.”
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The launch is one of its endeavors to help eliminate plastic waste. On Adidas’ end, it aims to make recycled polyester its choice material for products that require virgin polyester by 2024.
The floating tennis court is, indeed, playable. Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, canoeist Jess Fox, rugby league player Nathan Cleary, and model Steph Claire Smith were all invited to play a match of mixed doubles on the buoyant premises. At the end of the game, balls that had escaped into the water were retrieved.
But it won’t stay like this for long. The company plans to convert the tennis court into a sports arena and donate it to a local Townsville school so as to encourage more kids to embrace an active lifestyle.
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[via Dezeen and InsideHook, images via Adidas Tennis]
