SPORTS

Local woman starts pickleball recycling effort

Aug 26, 2024, 5:00 AM | Updated: 7:54 am

The pickleball recycling receptacle at Fairmont Park in Salt Lake City. (Momentum Recycling via Ins...

The pickleball recycling receptacle at Fairmont Park in Salt Lake City. (Momentum Recycling via Instagram)

(Momentum Recycling via Instagram)

SALT LAKE CITY — A local pickleball player has started a program to recycle old or unwanted pickleballs.

Brenda Koga has been a longtime pickleball player at Fairmont Park. After she heard about pickleball recycling, she wanted to do that here in Salt Lake City. 

Koga has been collaborating with community members, the Salt Lake City Parks Department, and Momentum Recycling to set up a pickleball recycling program.

Momentum Recycling CEO John Lair says more than 500 million pickleballs are produced every year. But, most traditional recycling centers won’t recycle them.

“Brenda reached out to us, about recycling pickleballs, especially giving the growing popularity of the sport we just thought it was the perfect thing for us to get involved in,” Lair said. 

Now there’s a receptacle at Fairmont Park. When it’s full, Koga ships them to a non-profit where old pickleballs can recycled to make new pickleballs. They are also made into a variety of other products.

“She was going to start a program collecting them, and she had already communicated with the pickleball manufacturer and arranged for them to take the pickleballs back so that they could be remanufactured back into new pickleballs.”

How it works is pretty simple. 

“They get put in the recycling bin, and after there’s enough of them to warrant a shipment… Brenda packages them up, she ships them back to the manufacturer,” Lair said. 

So far, the program collected and shipped back 200 pickleballs. Lair says he would love to expand this program in the future. 

More from KSL NewsRadio’s Heather Peterson: Study takes a closer look at the future of air taxis

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Sports

A Kansas City Chiefs helmet, the Vince Lombardi Trophy and a Philadelphia Eagles helmet are seen be...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

BYU study shows Eagles may be playing “riskier” than the Chiefs on Sunday

The study analyzed eight years of NFL data to determine which coaches were conservative or risky on fourth downs.

3 hours ago

referee utah...

Adam Small

Bill seeks to protect referees from violence

A committee of Utah lawmakers supported a bill this week aimed at protecting referees from violence at sporting events in the state.

2 days ago

transgender rights rally utah capitol...

Heather Peterson & Devin Oldroyd

Trump signs executive order banning transgender women from women’s sports

President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that would keep transgender females out of women's sports in federally funded schools.

2 days ago

Utah Hockey Club practice jersey with Ski Utah patch (photo: Cole Bagley)...

Cole Bagley, Utah Hockey Club Insider

Utah Outlaws back on table for Utah Hockey Club, Wasatch out

We’re live 👇  at 4:15 with Utah Hockey Club Insider Cole Bagley.   SALT LAKE CITY â€“ Less than 24 hours after the Utah Hockey Club announced three finalists for their new name, they organization has already pivoted away from Wasatch and Utah Outlaws is officially back on the table. BREAKING: Utah Hockey Club has removed […]

8 days ago

utah hockey club...

COLE BAGLEY, KSL Sports

Yeti out, Utah Hockey Club name down to 3 final options

The Utah Hockey Club name is down to three final options.

9 days ago

The Utah Hockey Club acknowledges the fans after the win as they open their inaugural season with a...

Devin Oldroyd

Utah Hockey Club faces challenges with name trademarks

The search continues for an official name for the Utah Hockey Club after 'Utah Yetis' rejected by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

11 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Local woman starts pickleball recycling effort