There is something unique about the sound of a brand-new tennis ball. It is the sound of a match beginning, of pleasure on the court and of performance. But once the bounce fades and the felt wears out, what becomes of that ball?
Most of the time, it ends up at the bottom of a bag before being thrown away. At Zèta, we wanted to understand the impact of this habit. What we have learnt about tennis ball recycling shows that it is time to change our ways!
14 million balls discarded every year
In France, we consume approximately 14 million tennis balls per year. This is a colossal figure, especially knowing that the vast majority are today landfilled or incinerated!
A tennis ball is designed to be ultra-resistant. However, this quality becomes a major drawback for the environment: it takes approximately 400 years to decompose. Left in nature, it releases microplastics and methane. Using an object for a few hours only for it to pollute for four centuries is no longer a viable option.
Can a tennis ball truly be recycled?
Yes, but it is quite a technical challenge.
A ball is the result of fusing two materials: vulcanised rubber and felt (a blend of wool and nylon). "Vulcanisation" is a chemical process that makes rubber highly elastic and almost indestructible. Once bonded, the felt and rubber cannot be separated by standard sorting centres. For them, the ball is a "non-recyclable" material.
However, a solution does exist: complete grinding. Rather than trying to separate the components, the entire ball is reduced to small granules. This "grind material" then becomes a new resource ready to be reused!
How can tennis balls be recycled?
Once collected and ground down, the balls can begin a new life. Historically, this material was mainly used to make soft flooring for gymnasiums or children's play areas. But today, we can go further.
The ACE'98 collection
At Zèta, our mission is simple: to transform upcycled materials (such as maize, coffee or grapes) into eco-responsible trainers.
We designed a sneaker that incorporates recycled tennis balls directly into its sole and logo. Collected from partner clubs in Porto, near our workshops, these balls are ground and pressed with recycled rubber to shape our soles.
Manufacturing locally from what already exists is our vision of fashion that truly makes sense.
Acoustic and thermal insulation
Once ground down, the tennis ball becomes an excellent insulator. Its felt traps air to retain heat. Its dense rubber absorbs shocks and blocks noise. This mixture is notably used to manufacture acoustic panels and floor underlays.
Upcycling at home
Upcycling involves repurposing an object from its original function without industrial transformation. At your own level, you can act too! Here are 5 simple ideas:
- The tumble dryer. Place two clean balls in the drum. They tumble the laundry and allow air to circulate more freely, helping you reduce drying time and your energy bill.
- Chair leg protectors. Cut the ball in a cross shape and slide it onto the legs of your furniture. It is the ultimate solution for protecting your floors and eliminating scraping noises.
- Parking aid. Hang a ball from the ceiling of your garage with a piece of string. When it touches your windscreen, you know you have parked perfectly without touching the wall.
- Relaxing massage. Roll a ball under the soles of your feet or against a wall behind your back.
- Jar opener. Cut a ball in half. The inner rubber provides incredible grip for opening stubborn jam jar lids.
Tennis is a sport of passion, but it must now rise to the challenge of managing its waste responsibly. Recycling must no longer be the exception — it must become the norm.
The ball is now in your court.
