Rise of Compostable Pickleball in Kansas City: The world of pickleball has experienced unprecedented growth, and with that surge comes an increased focus on sustainable innovations. On a typical Saturday morning, public parks resonate with the distinct “pop” of pickleball, a sound that symbolizes its widespread appeal. As the game becomes more popular, players and manufacturers are seeking greener alternatives to traditional equipment.
Addressing the Environmental Impact
Every year, nearly 500 million pickleballs find their way to landfills, a staggering statistic that caught the attention of Angel Morales. An engineer with 19 years of experience at Creative Consumer Concepts (C3), Morales is also an avid pickleball enthusiast. Recognizing the pressing need to reduce waste, he set out to create a solution that combined his engineering expertise with his passion for the sport.
“I knew there had to be a way to cut down on pickleball waste,” Morales says. His journey began with an examination of paddles, which he noticed were predominantly made from carbon fiber.
“When I started playing pickleball, I quickly noticed that many high-quality paddles were made from carbon fiber. I bought a few, and with my manufacturing curiosity, I cut them open and discovered they had a plastic polypropylene blend inside.” – (Morales)
This revelation led Morales to co-found Pro-Pickle, a brand that allows companies to customize pickleball paddles with options for carbon fiber surfaces, polypropylene honeycomb cores, and various handle lengths and grip materials.
Crafting an Eco-Friendly Pickleball
Morales’s experience in hospitality-related plastics also shaped his awareness of the industry’s shift toward eco-friendly materials.
“I noticed that the balls were made from LDPE, low-density polyethylene, which is really tough to recycle.” – (Morales)
In professional games, the Professional Pickleball Association uses Vulcan-brand balls, which are replaced after every match, contributing significantly to waste.
Determined to make a difference, Morales began developing a compostable pickleball, dubbed Compost-a-Ball. However, he faced challenges along the way.
“We probably went through 900 to 1,000 different recipes trying to create a ball that performed like a standard pickleball.” – (Morales)
Factors like durability, bounce, hardness, size, weight, and the number of holes were crucial in the development process.
Performance and Sustainability
After rigorous testing and numerous iterations, Compost-a-Ball emerged as a viable alternative. According to Morales, it boasts a bounce that is eight percent higher than a standard pickleball.
“We initially saw this as a potential issue, but after conducting interviews and surveys, we found it was actually quite acceptable—especially for beginners and recreational players. It even helps players get a better feel for the sport.” – (Morales)
In addition to performance, Compost-a-Ball offers a unique advantage in sound. The material used softens the iconic “pop,” making it about eight to ten percent quieter than traditional pickleballs.
Sustainability is at the forefront of this product; in an appropriate composting environment with sufficient oxygen and specific elements, Compost-a-Ball can break down within 100 days, thanks to its incorporation of rice husk and wheat straw materials. Morales assures users that longevity is not compromised.
“Leaving it in your bag or your car won’t make it degrade any faster.” – (Morales)
In fact, testing showed that Compost-a-Ball outperformed many high-quality options on the market, withstanding 1,900 to 2,000 hits before cracking, compared to the 600 to 800 hits of the best-selling alternatives.
News in Brief: Rise of Compostable Pickleball in Kansas City
A new eco-friendly pickleball, Compost-a-Ball, has hit the pickleball market, created by Kansas City engineer Angel Morales. With nearly 500 million pickleballs ending up in landfills each year, Morales, using his 19 years of experience in plastics, has developed a compostable alternative.
The ball bounces eight percent higher than standard options, is quieter during play, and will break down within 100 days in a composting environment. Notably, Compost-a-Ball withstands significantly more hits than traditional pickleballs, making it a sustainable and durable choice for players.
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