GreenTennis™: Sustainability in Tennis
Tennis, like other sports, is a game of numbers; yes, numbers. Physical activity, of course, is integral to the definition of sports. Nonetheless, statistics in terms of serve percentage, points-won, and unforced-error are among the driving analytic factors for tennis. But, let’s shift the conversation to a different set of statistics central to tennis.
Over 400 million tennis balls end up in landfills each year, with 125 million of them being from the United States alone. 20 thousand tonnes of waste are accumulated from tennis balls annually. Over 400 years is the how long it takes for a singular tennis ball to biodegrade. These are staggering statistics. But consider one more: 99% of a tennis ball can be recycled, repurposed, and saved from landfills.
This is the essence of why I founded GreenTennis™, an organization dedicated to facilitating sustainability and environmental consciousness in tennis. GreenTennis focuses on implementing eco-friendly practices and raising awareness about the environmental impacts of tennis events and activities.
With millions of balls produced and discarded annually, the disposal of non-biodegradable tennis balls poses a considerable challenge to environmental preservation. Additionally, the maintenance and construction of tennis courts often require large amounts of energy, water, and chemicals, contributing to resource depletion and pollution. Furthermore, the tennis industry heavily relies on single-use plastics, from packaging materials to water bottles. This leads to excessive plastic waste that ends up in landfills and ecosystems, causing long-term harm to our planet.
The imperative for sustainability in tennis and sport as a whole is evident, and I have observed this firsthand as an avid tennis player. When I started GreenTennis in 2020, I wanted to build a platform where tennis players could come together as a community to help their sport for the better: a place where we contribute to sustainability the smart way, following the idea of “save today, so we can use tomorrow.” GreenTennis is a place where an individual can do something locally to help tennis and end up counting globally. Above all, we are redefining what it means to be a tennis player on the court and a player in society.
Recycling Tennis Balls
One of the ways to generate the greatest impact is through recycling tennis balls. Companies such as RecycleBalls (based in Vermont, USA) and Game On Recycling (based in Australia) accept shipments of tennis balls, and they use machinery to separate the materials in each individual tennis balls, specifically using the rubber to create new sneaker soles, playgrounds, tennis courts, and more. Individuals can collect used / dead tennis balls and ship them in a boxes to these recycling facilities. GreenTennis provides an easy access to shipping labels and the ability for members of the community to start their own recycling centers at local tennis clubs. The players at those clubs can then recycle their tennis balls into designated bins at the clubs, therefore increasing the number of tennis balls saved from landfills.
https://www.greentennis.org/recycling
Donating Racquets
On the more philanthropic front, tennis racquets usually end up in landfills when people no longer want to use them or are ready for an upgrade in equipment. However, rather than contributing to waste, there are plenty of organizations to which tennis racquets may be donated, like SecondServe and Tennis Without Borders. There are millions of underprivileged children across the globe who do not have access to tennis equipment, and through donating used equipment, one can give the gift of tennis while contributing to sustainability by minimizing waste. GreenTennis provides a list of organizations to which individuals can easily donate their racquets.
https://www.greentennis.org/recycling-donation
Eco-Friendly Products
Another way in which GreenTennis fosters sustainability is through the promotion of eco-friendly products and accessories. Some of these include: a multitude of athletic clothing brands which use recycled materials; versions of eco-friendly racquets like Wilson’s naked series; tennis strings made from plastic bottles by Luxilon; eco-friendly tennis grips from Zone4Tennis; and so much more.
These alternatives are listed on the GreenTennis website to provide easy redirection for people looking for eco-friendly solutions. https://www.greentennis.org/accessories
A more prominent solution is the use of eco-friendly tennis balls, the Wilson Triniti and Wilson Triniti Pro’s, which are made to last 4 times as long compared to normal tennis balls and are sold in entirely recyclable packaging. They are USTA and ITF approved, and are becoming increasingly adopted by tournaments and in everyday play. While these balls are slightly more expensive, over a short period of time, the player actually ends up saving money because there is less frequent purchase of the balls. One can learn more about Triniti and where to buy the tennis balls at: https://www.greentennis.org/wilson-triniti
Beyond the Self: Chapters
For the future of GreenTennis and creating a sustainable – both in the eco and time sense – solution, I have largely focused on the impact of creating GreenTennis chapters and an ambassador program for high school and college students. Students can follow the guidelines for establishing a GreenTennis chapter at their school or university listed on the website and open up sustainable solutions to a much broader audience so as to maximize change. Some of the initiatives include starting a recycling program, holding racquet drives, advocating the switch to Triniti, and more. In turn, ambassadors are featured on the website and recognized for the work they are pursuing. Starting a chapter is an easy process, and it shows that it is not difficult to create a lasting effect on the environment regardless of who you are. To start a chapter, one can visit: https://www.greentennis.org/lead-collection
At the essence…
By integrating sustainable practices and promoting environmental stewardship, the GreenTennis project seeks to make tennis a more eco-friendly sport and inspire positive change within the tennis community. This includes raising awareness and encouraging sustainable behavior both on and off the tennis court.
Through embracing eco-friendly practices, we can minimize the carbon footprint and preserve natural resources. From utilizing eco-friendly products to implementing recycling and waste management programs, there are numerous avenues to reduce environmental impact. By raising awareness and fostering a culture of sustainability, we can create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the boundaries of the tennis court. Embracing the eco-paradigm, GreenTennis aims to ensure the longevity of tennis while nurturing a planet that future generations can enjoy. To stay updated about GreenTennis, follow @greentennis_ on Instagram, or sign up for the newsletter on the GreenTennis website (www.greentennis.org)!
