Salt Lake City Courts Set Good Example for Pickleball Recycling

The Kitchen Team

Team The Kitchen

Last Edited

Aug 29 2024

Category

News

Pickleball is finally going green. At least, some grassroots initiatives around the country are trying to make sure it does.

We recently learned of two different manufacturers of pickleballs trying to do better than just another plastic ball that ends up in the trash can. One made fully-compostable balls; the other went for a recyclable, quiet, 3D-printed model.

But there's also smaller movements at courts around the country aiming to make pickleball less environmentally harmful.

Brenda Koga, a pickleball enthusiast and community advocate, is leading the charge in Salt Lake City to ensure that old and unwanted pickleballs don’t end up in landfills.

Her new recycling initiative at Fairmont Park has already made waves in the local pickleball scene.

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After hearing about similar programs elsewhere, Koga decided it was time for Salt Lake City to get in on the action.

She teamed up with Momentum Recycling and the Salt Lake City Parks Department to create a system where players can easily recycle their worn-out balls.

John Lair, CEO of Momentum Recycling, was quick to see the value.

“Brenda’s idea was perfect for us, especially given the sport’s growing popularity,” Lair said.

Now, players can simply drop their old pickleballs into a dedicated bin at Fairmont Park. Once full, Koga sends the collected balls to a non-profit that turns them into new pickleballs and other products.

Over 200 pickleballs have already been recycled, and that’s just the beginning. “We’re eager to see how this can expand,” says Lair.

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