RecycleBalls and Laykold Partner to Create Eco-Friendly Tennis Courts

In a significant move towards sustainability in sports, RecycleBalls and Laykold have announced a partnership to create eco-friendly tennis courts using recycled tennis balls. This collaboration aims to address the substantial environmental impact of discarded tennis balls while revolutionizing court surface technology.

The partnership brings together RecycleBalls' expertise in tennis ball collection and repurposing with Laykold's advanced surfacing technology. By integrating recycled tennis balls into Laykold's court systems, the initiative promises to create what they call "the world's greenest tennis surface."

The environmental impact of tennis balls is more significant than many might realize. According to World Bank figures, over 150 million tennis balls were imported into the USA alone in 2023. These balls typically end up in landfills, taking over 400 years to decompose. Each tennis ball, weighing about 2 ounces, carries a carbon footprint of 1.2 pounds. Annually, this amounts to more than 19,250,000 pounds of tennis balls with a carbon impact equivalent to 26,000 cars driven for a full year.

RecycleBalls has been at the forefront of addressing this issue, having repurposed more than 14 million tennis balls through their international collection network. The partnership with Laykold will take this effort to the next level by incorporating these recycled materials directly into new court surfaces.

Laykold, recognized as the world's number one court brand and the official surface of the US Open since 2020, brings its expertise in high-quality and durable court systems to the partnership. The collaboration aims to create surfaces that include up to 10,000 recycled balls per court, depending on the system chosen.

Dave Wheaton, Laykold's Director of Sales, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "The environment is the most pressing sustainability issue of our time. Our partnership with RecycleBalls is an important part of our investment focus on bio-based and renewable ingredients, carbon reduction and recycling."

Erin Cunningham, CEO of RecycleBalls, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential impact: "Together, we've not only overcome obstacles but are now poised for exponential impact. Looking ahead, I envision a world where recycling sports equipment is the norm, and every ball stays in the game, finding new life on the very courts we play on."

The initiative is set to benefit from RecycleBalls' network of 10,000 facilities, tournaments, and volunteers, as well as Laykold's extensive installation network in the US and globally. This wide reach ensures that the environmental benefits of the collaboration will extend from major tournaments to local tennis clubs and communities worldwide.

As part of Sport Group, the world's largest sports surface business and a leader in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices within the industry, Laykold's move aligns with a broader corporate commitment to sustainability. The partnership not only addresses the immediate issue of tennis ball waste but also sets a precedent for sustainable practices in sports infrastructure.

The collaboration between RecycleBalls and Laykold represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future in sports. By transforming waste into valuable resources for new court surfaces, the initiative embodies the principles of a circular economy. It demonstrates how innovative partnerships can lead the way in embracing sustainable practices and minimizing environmental impact in the sports industry.

As the 2024 US Open approaches, the initiative will continue to ensure that old Grand Slam balls will be repurposed into community courts, further extending the life cycle of these tennis balls and reducing waste. This partnership not only promises to deliver eco-friendly surfaces but also maintains the superior quality, playability, and durability that Laykold is known for, ensuring that sustainability does not come at the cost of performance.

The RecycleBalls and Laykold partnership serves as a model for other sports and industries, showcasing how innovative thinking and collaboration can lead to significant environmental benefits while enhancing product quality. As this initiative gains momentum, it may inspire similar efforts across the sports world, potentially leading to a broader shift towards sustainability in sports equipment and infrastructure.