Rebel, Wilson Sporting Goods, Australian New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP) and Aussie tennis star Alex de Minaur have teamed up to launch the Game On Recycling program.
The nation-wide pilot program will see Rebel stores become collection points for Aussies to recycle their tennis balls.
At least 220 collection sites will be set up across the country, with collected equipment sent to ANZRP's processing facilities in West Melbourne for sorting.
Items that are recycled will be sent to local manufactures to produce new floor coverings.
The program will initially take in tennis balls – considering Aussies use 10 million of them per year – and will then expand to include other balls including football, basketball and soccer balls.
De Minaur said it was important to him to use his platform for good.
"Sports people like myself have a great chance to help and save our environment and I feel like it is our responsibility to put these sustainable initiatives into practice.
"Considering that I use about 12 tennis balls a day, and when I’m using them about 50 weeks of the year, it’s a big number.
"I’m excited to work with Wilson in their efforts – as the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance sporting goods, they are in the best position to drive sustainability in sport," he said.
Local sporting clubs and organisations are encouraged to get on board, with The Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne one of the first to register as a collection point.
Game On Recycling project manager Adrian Salerno said the more support the program can gain, the better.
"It's been amazing to see support come in from all directions for this project.
"We started with ANZRP teaming up with Wilson Sporting Goods to kickstart the program, then the Australian Government recognised the need and want for action in this space and has thrown its full support behind the program.
"As we have launched, the community has clearly resonated with Game On Recycling and a clear need for sustainability in sport.
"From clubs, schools and councils to big retail chains and sporting codes, there's a lot of joy seeing everyone come together to support a better future for all sport," he said.
The Game On Recycling project is financially supported by ANZRP, Wilson Sporting Goods and a federal grant from the National Product Stewardship Investment Fund.
Rebel stores will introduce the collection points throughout February.