Meet Emily, a student at Carlmont High School and founder of Pickle Puzzles 🥒🧩. Through Carlmont’s Sustainability Club, she launched Pickles and Puzzles to upcycle broken pickleballs and keep them out of the landfill. Emily and her teacher are currently testing various puzzle molds and have already created tangrams and other small items.
🏓 Why Pickleball Recycling Matters
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., with over 5 million players and counting. But this boom comes with an environmental cost: an estimated 500 million pickleballs are produced each year, generating approximately 77 million pounds of plastic waste annually.
The lifespan of a Pickleball can vary, but generally, a ball lasts about 3–5 games before it’s recommended to replace it for optimal play. Factors like aggressive play (from “bangers“), hard court surfaces, temperature, ball material, and use with ball machines can all impact durability. Can you use one longer? Sure, but they will eventually crack and dent, ultimately leading to frequent replacements and increased waste.
Most pickleballs are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE #4), a type of plastic that is not easily recyclable through standard municipal programs . Consequently, many used pickleballs end up in landfills, where they can take up to 100 years to decompose.
🌍 How You Can Help
Drop Off: Bring your broken pickleballs to the upcycling bins at Red Morton Tennis & Pickleball Courts (located on Courts 1 & 2)
Spread the Word: Encourage fellow players to participate in recycling efforts.
Support Sustainable Products: Consider using eco-friendly pickleballs and equipment.
Pro Tip: For tips on how to prolong the lifespan of your Pickleballs, go here.
Emily’s initiative not only addresses this environmental concern but also inspires creative reuse within our community. Let’s support her efforts and contribute to a more sustainable future!
Great job, Emily!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
