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TreadLightly, a national recycling initiative, is encouraging local communities to take action against a growing sport waste problem by recycling unwanted sport shoes and balls this Global Recycling Day (18th March, 2025).

Millions of balls and shoes are made worldwide each year, and most of these eventually end up in landfill. Shoe components can take up to 1000 years to decompose, and balls can take 400 years – highlighting the urgent need for Australian sport enthusiasts to take action to reduce their impact on the planet.

TreadLightly is an industry-led national recycling program powered by the Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA) – giving new life to unwanted sport gear, including sport footwear and balls. Since its launch in 2021, the program has recycled nearly 1.5 million pairs of shoes (363 tonnes) and approximately 26,000 sport balls (26 tonnes) so far.

Shaun Bajada, Executive Director, from the Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA) says that the program provides a simple solution for people to reduce their sport waste and make a difference.

Bajada advises “If you love sport, it’s time to start thinking about what you can do to support the next generation of sports enthusiast. When it comes to recycling, we all need to be on Team Australia.

“We’re calling for every household to step up to the challenge and recycle at least one sports ball or pair of shoes this Global Recycling Day. That would be 10 million items that wouldn’t end up in landfill.

“Regardless of the condition of your old footy boots or your worn-out netball, we are able to extract materials like rubber, leather, and fibres to manufacture new products and give your unwanted sports gear new life.”

TreadLightly works closely with 27 of Australia’s leading sport retailers and manufacturers including Adidas, Asics, Basketball Victoria, Brooks, Dunlop, Drumond Golf, Ecco, FootJoy, Frankie4, Globe, Hush Puppies, Implus, Intersport, Macpac, Mizuno, Nike, New Balance, Platypus, Rebel Sport, RM Williams, Sherrin, Shoes & Sox, Spalding, Sportspower, Tennis Australia, The Athletes Foot, and Wilson.

The sport gear collected is either donated to community groups in need or recycled and turned into sustainable products such as rubber mats, retail flooring and more. All material is collected, recycled and manufactured in Australia – providing a local solution to a global waste problem.

Five tips to tackle sports waste take this Global Recycling Day:

1. It’s time to move on: If you tried a sport and moved on, don’t let your gear go to waste. Whether it’s tennis shoes or a basketball from that one season three years ago – now’s the time to pass it on.
2. Get your sport club involved: Ask around at your local sport clubs, do they have a TreadLightly collection point in place for sport balls?
3. Find your nearest TreadLightly collection box: Visit treadlightly.asga.com.au to find your nearest collection location for sport footwear and balls.
4. Time to get social: Post on socials asking your friends to join in to step up for the planet on Global Recycling Day #wetreadlightly @treadlightly.asga
5. Educate kids: Teach young athletes the importance of recycling and get them involved with sorting and recycling your old shoes and sport balls.

TreadLightly provides the inspiration and the means to address the sporting and active lifestyle industry’s environmental footprint by uniting and empowering brands, retailers and consumers to give preloved footwear a new life.TreadLightly has more than 1000 collection points across Australia. To find your closest collection location visit treadlightly.asga.com.au/what-do-you-want-to-recycle/

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