Another Bounce
Another Bounce recycles tennis and pickleballs to create a more sustainable future for the game. The extreme amount of waste in racquet sports should not be accepted as normal. We have solutions to make tennis and pickleball more sustainable!
About Us
This initiative was created and is led by a group of 12 student athletes in LA county, representing six high schools.
We care deeply about sports & our planet, and believe we have the responsibility to take action and reduce waste. Sports should be a part of the conversation, too!
The Problem
Racquet ball waste is a big problem. Clubs go through hundreds of balls in a week, as they quickly “go flat” and lose their bounce. Rather than recycle them, most balls just get thrown away.
In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated that 125 million tennis balls go into landfills annually (Stanford), and that only about 1% of all tennis balls produced are recycled (UN RIC). Other industry estimates suggest that 95% of all balls produced go into landfills or are incinerated (Bounce Sports).
Once thrown away, balls can take 400+ years to decompose due to their rubber components (Bounce Back Recycle).
Our Solution
We need to change our habits of waste around tennis balls and racquet balls.
Rather than throw used balls in the trash, let’s start collections at clubs and parks, and get them recycled, instead.
We are collecting balls from LA-based clubs & parks and sending them to a specialized recycling facility, demonstrating that end-of-life solutions do exist and changing the norms around “trash.”
We are also asking ball companies to do their part and create end-of-life solutions for their products, rather than adding to our global waste problem or asking consumers and municipalities to take responsibility.
Recycling Options
Pickleballs can easily be recycled, and despite the rubber components of tennis balls, there are recycling options for them too.
Ridwell is one example of a company that currently recycles pickleballs, and has agreed to be our recycling partner. Ridwell shreds, washes, and pelletizes the balls, which are then shipped to their partner Merlin Plastics, which uses this used plastic in a variety of products.
Take Action
You can make a difference by helping to collect used pickleballs and tennis balls, and asking companies to be responsible for their ball waste.
Send An Email
Make your voice heard! Let’s ask ball companies to take responsibility and do their part to ensure that the end-of-life of their product is incorporated into their business model.
Rather than creating more waste, ball companies should provide recycling and take-back options to repurpose old balls giving them Another Bounce.
Simply add your name to the email below and we will send it to officials at Dunlop, Vulcan, Penn, Wilson, Selkirk, and Franklin.
Start a Ball Collection
You can take action by starting a collection for used pickleballs and/or tennis balls at your local park or club! We are now accepting tennis and pickleballs to our warehouse!
C. Wiebe (Habits of Waste Donation)
3000 31st St., Suite C
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Give your balls Another Bounce and help us set a world record!
