This growing concern has mobilized efforts among manufacturers, recyclers, and governing bodies to find sustainable solutions, with advocates raising awareness about tennis balls’ environmental impact.
The Recycling Challenge of Tennis Balls
Tennis balls are notoriously difficult to recycle. Constructed with a tightly glued felt cover over a hollow rubber core, separating these components for recycling is challenging. The felt, a blend of wool and nylon, is also non-recyclable. Columbia University’s Nickolas J. Themelis notes that while tennis balls are durable by design, this longevity complicates their recyclability. Instead of discouraging their use, experts advocate for reusing and repurposing balls to extend their lifecycle.
Jason Quinn, director of Colorado State University’s Sustainability Research Laboratory, argues that while tennis balls represent a small fraction of global waste, there are viable ways to reduce their environmental impact through reuse and innovative recycling methods.
Repurposing and Recycling Efforts
Nonprofits and recycling initiatives are looking beyond common repurposing methods, such as using tennis balls as dog toys or chair cushions. Some organizations are collecting balls in bulk and grinding them into material for alternative uses, like creating footing for horse arenas or surfacing for tennis courts. However, experts question the scalability of these initiatives, which address only part of the issue and don’t tackle the underlying problem of tennis balls’ non-recyclable design.
The felt-covered rubber core, originally introduced in the 1920s, has remained largely unchanged in design, creating a major barrier to recycling. Premium tennis balls, such as Wilson’s U.S. Open model, use virgin rubber, raising concerns about rubber tree deforestation in the Amazon. Jason Collins of Wilson Sporting Goods acknowledges the environmental cost but notes that recycled rubber is used in some of Wilson’s other ball models.
Innovative Approaches and Sustainable Solutions
Several promising solutions are being explored. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has assembled a working group with manufacturers, governing bodies, and recyclers to explore potential designs for a fully recyclable ball and investigate ways to extend the usability of balls in tournaments. Among other efforts, a Dutch company has developed a ball made with 30% recycled tennis ball materials, though increasing the percentage may compromise playability.
Wilson has introduced the Triniti ball, designed to last longer with a sturdier core and durable felt that retains performance for up to four matches. This ball represents a step forward, though a fully recyclable tennis ball that meets professional performance standards remains a work in progress.
Recycling Programs and New Uses for Old Balls
Vermont-based RecycleBalls is at the forefront of tennis ball recycling in the U.S., with plans to collect over 3 million tennis balls this year. The organization has collection bins at hundreds of locations across North America, where used balls can be sent for repurposing. Once collected, RecycleBalls sorts and processes the balls for different uses, from dog toys to ground-up granules that are used as a cushioning layer for tennis court surfaces by companies like Laykold. Other potential uses for the recycled granules include mulch, construction materials, and furniture components.
RecycleBalls CEO Erin Cunningham emphasizes the importance of creating a market for recycled tennis ball materials. “We don’t want to just collect tennis balls and have them sit in a warehouse. We need demand for recycled products,” Cunningham says. Meanwhile, the USTA is also working with RecycleBalls to collect and repurpose used balls from the U.S. Open and distribute others for reuse in clinics, training centers, and even as memorabilia.
Waste-to-Energy: An Interim Solution?
For balls that cannot be repurposed or recycled, waste-to-energy plants present an alternative to landfills. These plants burn waste to produce electricity, a process more common in Europe and China than in the U.S. However, environmental groups like the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) warn that waste-to-energy facilities come with their own challenges, particularly concerns over emissions.
A Call for Innovation in Tennis Ball Design
Ultimately, advocates argue that a shift toward sustainable tennis balls will require manufacturers to redesign them with their full lifecycle in mind. As Claire Arkin from GAIA states, “The companies behind these products need to take the entire life cycle into account.” The increasing environmental awareness and calls for eco-friendly innovations across the industry suggest that tennis balls are overdue for an environmental “makeover” to reduce their impact on the planet.
With efforts underway to extend the life of each ball and improve the material sourcing and disposal process, tennis is slowly working toward a more sustainable future. As the push for greener alternatives continues, tennis ball makers and governing bodies have an opportunity to transform this essential piece of equipment into one that serves both the game and the environment responsibly.