Green Your Game

Ever thought about what happens to your tennis equipment when you’re done with it? Earth Day is a great opportunity to consider the impact your game might have on the environment. Read on for some easy ways to make a difference for the planet. 

Over 300 million tennis balls are produced each year, but less than 22 million are recycled annually. The simplest place to start? We’ve all sent a ball flying over the fence, but don’t leave them where they land. Be sure to collect them before you leave your match. There are many options for what to do with your used tennis balls. 

1. Donate used balls to your local animal shelter or nursing home. 

2. Explore these DIY ideas for upcycling your used tennis balls.

3. Recycle them! 

For example, both Project Green Ball and an initiative by reBounces use old tennis balls in court construction. According to a reBounces 2015 press release, “up to 10,000 tennis balls are incorporated into a single cushioned court surface and can provide a 21% force reduction. By lessening the impact traditional hard courts have on a player’s joints, these courts will extend the tennis careers of players of all abilities, protect young players whose bodies are not fully developed, and perhaps pull a few seasoned players out of a too early retirement.”

So talk to your country club or facility to see if they participate in a recycling program such as Tennis Ball Recycling, Project Green Ball, reBounces, Retour Tennis or Recycle Balls. If they don’t already, encourage them to start. 

And don’t forget about tennis ball cans. Check your local community recycling guidelines, as some include them in curbside pick up programs. Or find a Ronald McDonald House chapter that accepts the aluminum pop tops. 

Another easy way to be greener? Consider renting a racquet, or buying a used one, especially if you’re a casual player. 

Learn more about natural gut tennis strings, or recycle your used synthetic strings when you’re done with them. The TerraCycle zero waste athletic box is an option that allows users to purchase boxes for broken sporting equipment, including tennis racquets, grips, and strings.

And what about your tennis clothes and shoes? Think about thrifting these items or buying sustainable options. When you’re done with your clothes or shoes, find somewhere in your area to donate items that may still have some life in them. 

Lastly, Nike, Adidas and Reebok have all created shoes that use recycled materials. Most Nike stores will take your old shoes to use in the production of new ones. According to Nike Grind, they have recycled 30 million pairs so far. 

Implementing even one or two of these ideas can have a positive impact on the planet and the game of tennis!