Pickleball Takes a Green Turn in Kansas City
Hey there, Kansas City! If you’ve stepped into a park on a sunny Saturday morning recently, you’ve probably been greeted by the *inviting sound* of pickleball— that delightful “pop” of balls bouncing around on the courts. It’s no mystery that this sport has soared in popularity, making it a staple in the local community. However, as the love for pickleball grows, so does the need for greener solutions in the equipment we use. Buckle up for an exciting story of innovation and eco-friendly thinking.
Out with the Old, In with the New
Did you know that nearly 500 million pickleballs find their way to landfills every year? That’s a staggering number! One Kansas City local, Angel Morales, saw that as an opportunity rather than a problem. With *nearly two decades of experience* in engineering and materials science, and a passion for pickleball that runs deep, Morales took it upon himself to reduce this *tremendous waste* and make the game better while at it.
Morales kicked off his journey by focusing on what’s at the heart of the game: the paddle. His curiosity got the better of him when he noticed that most high-quality paddles were constructed from carbon fiber. “Once I took them apart, I discovered a mix of plastic polypropylene inside,” he says. That led him to launch Pro-Pickle, a brand that helps players customize their paddles using various materials and designs. The idea? Make a *personalized* paddle while minimizing environmental impact. Neat, right?
Going Green with Balls
In his quest for sustainability, Morales realized the balls were a major contributor to the problem too. Most pickleballs are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is notoriously challenging to recycle. What’s more, in professional tournaments, balls are discarded after each match. Morales wanted to change that narrative.
Creating a new ball wasn’t just a walk in the park, though. “We tested around 1,000 recipes trying to replicate the performance of traditional pickleballs,” Morales shares. His team considered crucial factors such as **durability**, **bounce**, and even the number of holes in the ball. After extensive testing, they finally succeeded in creating something new: Compost-a-Ball.
Meet Compost-a-Ball
So, what’s all the fuss about this Compost-a-Ball? For starters, it *bounces eight percent higher* than a traditional pickleball, which some may find helpful, especially if you’re just getting started with the game. Plus, its unique material makes it softer, creating a pleasant, quieter “pop” sound—about *eight to ten percent quieter* than standard options.
Eco-Friendly Features
But here’s the real kicker! In conditions where there is adequate oxygen and bacteria (like in a landfill), the Compost-a-Ball will *break down completely* in about 100 days. How’s that for a sustainable option? Unlike typical pickleballs that linger in waste, this innovative product combines rice husk and wheat straw materials to create an eco-friendly, durable choice for players.
Morales emphasizes that Compost-a-Ball can withstand a good beating too! During testing, this new ball survived *over 1,900 hits* before cracking, outlasting many conventional options that manage only 600 to 800 hits. So, you can play worry-free, knowing that your eco-conscious choice won’t let you down on the court!
Wrapping Up
As pickleball continues to capture hearts all over Kansas City, it’s refreshing to see innovators stepping up to create solutions that sync with players’ love for the game and care for the planet. With Pro-Pickle and the Compost-a-Ball leading the charge, locals can enjoy their pick-up games with a renewed sense of responsibility. So next time you hear that *familiar pop*, remember there’s more to it than just a fun game; it’s about making our world a *greener place*, one swing at a time.
