Boulder Will Recycle Tennis Balls Through Nonprofit Partnership

BOULDER, CO — City of Boulder officials have partnered with a Vermont-based nonprofit to put a dent in the millions of tennis balls that get thrown away each year.

Community members can recycle tennis balls of any brand, color or condition by bringing them to a collection bin located at tennis court No. 3 behind the North Boulder Recreation Center.

The balls collected will be shipped to RecycleBalls in Vermont, where they will be turned into new tennis court surfaces, footing for horse arenas or dog toys, officials said.

"This pilot is an exciting opportunity for the city to continue to strengthen its culture of recycling and sustainability," Jamie Harkins, Interim Director of the Zero Waste Team, said. "Through this program, we can give tennis balls a second life."

If the pilot is successful, officials said, the program will expand to additional city courts next year.

Local tennis player David Bright suggested the program to city staff after he saw tennis ball recycling at private and public courts in other cities, Ellen Orleans, Boulder's Sustainability Coordinator, said.

"He felt the program was a good match for Boulder’s sustainability goals and we agreed," Orleans said.

Boulder's Parks and Recreation, Volunteer Cooperative and Climate Initiatives departments helped start the initiative in the city, officials said.

Anyone who has questions about the program or who would like to volunteer can email zerowaste@bouldercolorado.gov or call (303) 441-4004.