Emily’s Pickle Puzzles Upcycling Project: Emily, a student at Carlmont High School in San Mateo County, has found a creative way to stop broken pickleballs from ending up in landfills. As of Monday, she has already saved 1,800 balls by turning them into puzzle toys.
Upcycling for a Cleaner Environment
Pickleballs often crack after just four or five games due to hard surfaces, intense play, or temperature changes. Since most pickleballs are made from low-density polyethylene, a type of plastic that is hard to recycle, they usually get thrown in the trash.
To fight this problem, Emily collects broken pickleballs and reuses them by turning them into puzzles like tangrams. Tangrams are made of seven flat shapes that can form many different designs.
Community Drop-Off Locations
People who want to support the project can drop off their broken pickleballs at special bins. These Pickle Puzzles upcycling bins are located at Courts 1 and 2 at Red Morton Tennis and Pickleball Courts, 1120 Roosevelt Avenue, Redwood City. This gives pickleball players a new way to get rid of damaged balls without harming the planet.
Why It Matters
Pickleball is growing fast, but the equipment has an environmental cost. By giving used balls a new life, Emily helps reduce waste and raise awareness about plastic pollution. Her simple idea could inspire others to look for ways to recycle or reuse sports gear in their own communities.
News in Brief: Emily’s Pickle Puzzles Upcycling Project
Emily, a student at Carlmont High School, is turning broken pickleballs into puzzles to keep them out of landfills. She has already upcycled 1,800 balls. Players can drop off cracked balls at Red Morton courts in Redwood City. This effort helps cut down on waste from hard-to-recycle plastics.
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