In the world of collegiate tennis, the consumption of tennis balls is surprisingly high, with a fresh can being opened for every set. This practice results in the use of approximately 12 to 18 cans per match, translating to around $72 and 51 tennis balls per game. When you consider the number of matches played annually, the financial and material resources dedicated solely to tennis balls become quite substantial.
Recognizing the need for a more sustainable approach, Coach Bobby Bayliss, who manages the Notre Dame Tennis Facilities, sought innovative solutions to optimize the use of department funds while promoting sustainability. His quest led him to explore how other universities were managing their tennis ball consumption, ultimately discovering the Green Tennis Machine (GTM). This device rejuvenates used tennis balls, extending their lifespan and reducing the necessity for constant purchases. The GTM operates by utilizing a blend of inert and non-flammable gases within a pressure chamber to restore the bounce of used balls, with the capacity to recondition about 500 balls at once for prolonged use.
Notre Dame’s men’s and women’s tennis teams employ the GTM approximately 20 times annually, effectively diverting around 10,000 tennis balls from ending up in landfills. Additionally, various tournaments held on their courts contribute used balls, which are also repurposed. However, Coach Bayliss’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t end there. Once the tennis balls are no longer suitable for collegiate play, they find new life in local nursing homes, where they serve as “wheels” on walkers. Other local charities also benefit from this recycled tennis ball initiative.
Beyond repurposing tennis balls, Coach Bayliss and his team also focus on recycling the metal seal rings from the cans. These rings are collected and taken to a local recycling facility, where they are weighed and sorted. The proceeds from recycling these lids are then donated to support the Ronald McDonald Rooms at Memorial Hospital, further extending the impact of their sustainability efforts.