Tennis is constantly growing in popularity. Currently there are 87 million tennis players worldwide – a number that significantly increases each year. As all players know, tennis requires a ton of equipment including racquets, balls, shoes, strings, bags, and clothing. However, when these objects are retired, many tennis players do not know what to do with them and end up throwing them out to take up space in landfills.

 

As they decompose, these objects release methane gas emissions which worsen the greenhouse effect and contribute to global warming. Because of the non-biodegradable nature of most tennis equipment, decomposition will take hundreds of years and emit concerning amounts of methane.

 

Fortunately, the large amount of necessary equipment and rapidly growing number of players also generates a constant demand for equipment across the world. By donating used supplies, players can both benefit the environment and grow the sport. There are a number of organizations that collect used tennis/sports equipment and repurpose or donate them for other aspiring players.

 

One Ball at a Time: One Ball at a Time is a youth-run non-profit centered in Southern California that mainly aims to collect, recycle, and repurpose tennis balls. Balls are collected from players and coaches at a number of SoCal tennis facilities to be donated or recycled. One Ball at a Time partners with tennis ball recycling facilities as well as a local chapter of Samaritan’s Purse to give used balls new uses. See their website at oneballatatime.org for more information on how to donate and support the cause.

 

Second Serve: Second serve is a fully youth-run non-profit that seeks to share tennis with players in low-developing countries. They collect second hand shoes, racquets, water bottles, and tennis bags from local players and tennis facilities. Second serve chapters are established internationally, but most prominently throughout the United States. Visit their website to find your local Second Serve donation center and to learn more about their amazing work.

 

Recycle Balls: Though centered in Vermont, the non-profit Recycle Balls collects tennis balls from across the nation. Those who have balls to donate for reuse or recycling can visit the website to order recycling shipment bins. Once a bin is full, it can be shipped back to the Recycle Balls headquarters where it is made into concrete and used for the construction of new tennis courts. Donation to Recycle Balls is a great way to reduce equipment waste while also promoting the growth of the sport.

 

All players inevitably cycle through tennis equipment. However, this poses a significant threat to our global environment. By spreading this information across our community, we hope to discourage the perpetuation of immense tennis waste while also promoting a sport-wide sense of environmental responsibility. By seeking ways to take action and donate, we can make a meaningful impact in preserving the environment while continuing to enjoy the sport we love.