Serving Sustainability: Franklin Brings Pickleball Recycling to Malaysia with Nature Loop

Pickleball is growing fast. Courts are popping up, tournaments multiply, and fans are everywhere. But growth often comes with waste especially damaged balls piling up in bins, eventually heading toward landfills. Now, Franklin along with Malaysian partner Nature Loop are stepping in to change that.

What’s the Big Idea?

Franklin has launched a Pickleball Recycling Program in Malaysia, one of the first of its kind here. It invites clubs, venues, and players to return broken or used pickleballs (of any brand) to special recycling bins. Nature Loop will then process and convert these plastics into new functional products such as key charms, accessories, or possibly even items for pickleball gear.

This initiative aligns with global efforts around sustainable pickleball. For example, organisations like P3 Cares (USA) recycle cracked pickleballs into new products, aiming to reduce plastic waste from the sport. P3 Cares

Why It Matters

• Reducing waste: Injection-molded balls are typically not handled by standard recycling because of the type of plastic used. This means many old balls end up in trash. A recycling program helps divert that.
• Closing the loop: Recycled material becoming usable products helps build awareness and sets a standard that gear waste can be repurposed.
• Community awareness: Players and clubs participating become more conscious of how their sport impacts the environment.
  
  

How It Works

From what Franklin and Nature Loop have shared:

• There will be designated recycling boxes at participating clubs, events, and venues.
• Players are encouraged to drop in broken or damaged balls.
• All brands are welcome, this is not just for Franklin gear.
• After collection, Nature Loop recycles the material into keychains, accessories, or similar items.
  
  

Franklin is also making this part of official programming making “recycling bins” visible at their events, to normalize sustainable practices in the local pickleball culture.

What Players & Clubs Can Do Now

• Start collecting used or damaged balls instead of tossing them.
• Ask your club if they will be one of the drop-off locations.
• Spread word: sustainability begins with awareness.
• Support brands and tournaments that commit to eco practices.