Old pickleballs find new purpose in UK
Used pickleballs are getting a second life in the UK through a new recycling initiative that turns discarded plastic into household items. The project addresses a growing environmental concern as the sport’s popularity surges, generating thousands of spent balls that would otherwise end up in landfills or incineration facilities. By transforming this waste into functional products, the scheme demonstrates how niche recycling efforts can tackle specific waste streams before they escalate into larger problems.
The project, led by sustainable sports start-up Crack’d and plastics manufacturer Brothers Make, collects used pickleballs from clubs, leagues, and players across the country. Once collected, the balls are shredded into flakes before being melted and moulded into products such as keyrings, coasters, clips and trophies.
Pickleball’s rapid growth has created a surge in plastic waste. The sport now has an estimated 50 million players worldwide, with millions of balls discarded each year. Each hollow ball weighs about 22 grams, meaning even small-scale recycling efforts can divert significant amounts of plastic from landfills. The demand for new balls is driven by the sport’s fast-paced nature, where frequent play leads to wear and tear, including cracks, loss of bounce, or surface abrasions.
The recycled plastic is molded into a variety of products, each chosen for its durability and practicality. Keyrings, coasters, clips and trophies are designed to remain recyclable at the end of their useful life.
A circular solution
Crack’d was founded in 2025 by Millie Smythe, a former international tennis player and sustainable design graduate. Her background in both sports and environmental studies gave her a unique perspective on the waste generated by athletic equipment. During her time competing, Smythe observed how quickly balls were discarded, often after just a few matches, and recognized the potential for a systemic solution.
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“Pickleball is growing incredibly quickly, which is fantastic for the sport,” Smythe said. “However, it also means more equipment reaches the end of its life.” She hopes the initiative will show that damaged sports gear can retain value when recycled properly. The project’s success hinges on changing perceptions within the sports community, encouraging players to view used balls not as trash but as a resource.
Brothers Make, which specializes in circular design, processes the balls using mechanical recycling. The company’s co-founder, Matt Browning, said the balls are ideal for this method because they’re made from durable engineering plastic. “Circularity has been considered from the start,” he said. “The balls become new products, and those products can be recycled again in the future.”
The recycled material is 100% clean plastic, free from contaminants. So far, the partnership has diverted more than 100 kg of plastic—roughly 4,500 balls—from the waste stream. The partners are now expanding their collection network, urging more clubs to participate.
The challenges of recycling sports equipment are well-documented, with many past programs failing due to a lack of infrastructure or market demand. Pickleball’s standardized ball design, however, presents a unique advantage. All official balls are manufactured to the same specifications, meaning the plastic composition is consistent across brands. This uniformity simplifies the recycling process. Additionally, the sport’s club-based structure provides a centralized collection network, making it easier to gather large quantities of used balls.
The next phase of the project involves collaborating with national pickleball associations to establish drop-off points at major tournaments and training facilities. While the initiative is still in its early stages, it offers a practical way to address the environmental impact of a booming sport.
