Japan Recycles Two Million Tennis Balls
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 12. 8.06
Andre Agassi may have called it quits, but some unsung tennis stars just don’t know when to give in. Earlier this year (in fact, the very day after Andre retired) the 2 millionth tennis ball was donated to a school in Japan. The Global Sports Alliance (GSA) has been collecting them for their reuse initiative. Over 1,500 school have been beneficiaries of the program. They attach the balls to the bottom of tables and chairs in classrooms. Apparently this reduces wear and tear on floors, whilst it also “drastically reduces extraneous noise, creating a better learning atmosphere.” Especially so for children with hearing aids who are sensitive to sudden loud noise or background interference. Seems the concept also lends a practical reinforcement to environmental messages in school curriculum. A sister program sends used sports equipment to countries such as Kenya, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Via ::Global Forum for Sports and Environment.
Yeh, we know this is really 'reuse', but that is not a phrase most folk have embraced, as much, as say, recycling. Reuse is where a product or material is used in it's original form, without having to be first sent to a factory to be melted down, pulped, or so on.
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Since tennis balls are air traps, and are pretty stable and seem to not be particularly flammable, they might make good insulation. They would have to be supplemented with something else to fill the voids left by their size.
This isn't just a recent thing, here in Canada, since I have hearing aids, the whole district school board in my area have used tennis balls on the feet of the chairs. This was when I was in grade 4. Now I am in grade 12. 8 years ago :)
I use these on the legs of my walker. Very nice. High five!
You know, I've seen elderly individuals with walkers use tennis balls to reduce friction on the back non-wheeled pegs when pushing the walker forward. And you can hang a tennis ball from the ceiling in your garage to act as a guide for parking so your kids, wife, (and yes husband) don't drive the car into the garage wall. Sometimes construction crews use tennis balls for safety by placing them over the ends of exposed rebar. Maybe a contest to see who can make the best use of recycled tennis balls is in order? :)
I bet a lot of people use inexpensive, new tennis balls, for lack of initiative to source expired ones. Maybe we need tennis ball collection/donation bins, especially at tennis centres, instead of those little trash can stands that collect all the tennis ball tubes, old balls, and paper cups.
Mty school is looking for tennis balls to cut down on the noisy chairs. Any ideas???
To Janice Hess,
Try contacting a local training center or tennis camp. I'm sure that they would be willing to set up a collection barrel, where their used balls could go. Then you could stop by from time to time (or whenever the barrel gets full) and collect your tennis balls. When you have enough, they would just go back to their previous disposal plan. Maybe this would even inspire something some copy-catting. If this is successful, try to get your local news invovled.
With these ball brands being donated of various types it aids as a major factor for the conservation of these Recycled Tennis valuables.
I think it is and was compassionate, cool, generous, and kind for Andre Agassi to consider such a thought for the Japan school.
It demonstrated that the since the inquisitive thought of using these precious spheres for fashion and safety purposes came about they now have used a vast occupancy of a ton of balls and saved damage from coming done in the classrooms.
Go Agassi and Your a Conservative Pro too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another great reuse for tennis balls is to find a branch of Golden Retriever Rescue--these dogs love tennis balls and the groups are always looking for donations. Or contact any animal rescue group to see if they want them.
Hey,
I just read the above that is a great use for tennis balls and the have been used! top effort if i must say people!! keep it up...
Are tennis balls flammable. While cleaning my furnace duct the dog thrwed a ball in the air and yep down the duct. Somewhere between my kitchen and living room in the furnace duct.
Need to know if they are flammable. These are cheap tennis balls like dog tennis balls or tennis balls that can be pruchased for maybe under 5 dollars for 4. Please help. Thanks DEE