Greener Tennis: Raising The Environmental Game
Tennis is a very popular sport in England, but it does mean lots of plastic rackets, wool tennis balls and various litter at tournaments like Wimbledon. Although seen as an elite sport, today most people have public tennis courts nearby.
Stow Away Nets, to Protect wildlife
Ensure tennis nets are stowed away when not in use (as foxes and hedgehogs can get caught in them). Football nets can be replaced by a more wildlife-friendly goal wall, made from recycled plastic milk bottles!
Bamboo or Recycled Carbon Rackets
Years ago in the days of Borg and McEnroe, tennis rackets were made of wood. But today most are made from advanced plastic materials, so choose ones made from recycled carbon fibre, without harsh glues (some rackets are also made from fast-growing bamboo).
Lineat has created tennis rackets using reclaimed carbon fibre, to save it from going to landfill. The sports industry is the third biggest user of carbon fibre by volume, after aerospace and wind energy.
Vegan tennis balls and Recycling
Most tennis balls contain wool. So join the campaign to use plant-based tennis balls. Raise money to small charities, by sending used tennis balls for recycling.
Vets say you shouldn’t over-throw balls for dogs (best to let them sniff and explore, to save leg problems later on). The wool on tennis balls is abrasive, so not good for dogs anyway. Go for quality brands of safe (supervised) toys instead).
TerraCycle offers a community recycling box, where for one set fee, everyone can drop of used sports equipment at a local point, to be sent off to be made into other things.
You can also recycle exercise mats, skateboards, sports water bottles, cycling accessories, protective sports equipment, skipping ropes, boomerangs and frisbees (never use these on the beach, they can decapitate seals).
Choosing recycled tennis balls, helps to keep new ones from being made with virgin materials. Programs in the UK and Australia collect used balls to support schools or grind them into playground mats.
Vegan Tennis Shoes
You can now buy quality tennis shoes made with vegan leather and recycled materials. No doubt these are worn by vegan tennis players like Nick Kyrgios and Hubert Hurkacz.
Organic lawns and water conservation
For tennis courts, choose organic lawn care. Yorkshire-made Grazers is a non-toxic alternative to lethal control or pesticides, which makes grass unpalatable to rabbits and other creatures (can also be used for bowling greens and golf courses).
Don’t use where pet rabbits roam, as they won’t be able eat treated grass. And ensure wild rabbits have non-treated (edible) grass nearby.
Organic Strawberries and Vegan Cream!
Nothing says ‘Wimbledon’ more than a bowl of strawberries and cream. But did you know that the strawberries are one of the so-called ‘dirty dozen’ that are usually sprayed with chemicals and pesticides?
Organic strawberries taste so much better too. Try them with The Coconut Collab’s vegan double cream! Made with coconuts, you’d never know as there is no coconut taste. It’s cow-friendly and cholesterol-free. And lovely to dollop on fresh fruits and your favourite desserts.
Carbon emissions from Travel and Venues
Tennis is global. Top players, their teams, officials, and thousands of fans hop from city to city. Each event brings a wave of cars, taxis, buses, and planes, all burning fuel.
- Players and staff: According to estimates, professional players and their staff fly over 100,000 miles in a season.
- Fans: Tournaments like Wimbledon attract more than 500,000 fans, many driving or flying in .
- Arenas: Large tennis stadiums often use high-powered floodlights, heating, cooling systems, and digital scoreboards. For instance, the average two-week Grand Slam can consume as much electricity as hundreds of households would use in a year.
Cutting down on long-haul flights, switching to renewable energy in venues, and setting up dedicated public transport can make a real difference.
