Our Recycled Paddle Scheme!

When we first started playing pickleball around 4 years ago, the first thing that stood out to us was the immense sense of community and togetherness within the game. Fast forward to now, and we are delighted to launch our new recycled paddle range, aimed at giving back to the community and getting the next generation of player into pickleball.

Around a year ago, we noticed a big gap in the market for an affordable and durable paddle. We also were very keen to create a paddle made in the UK, mainly to avoid the environmental impact of shipping in cargo from overseas. We studied the market, mainly the flaws with wooden paddles, and came to the conclusion we needed to find a durable one-piece paddle, which is lighter than wooden alternatives. Whilst playing pickleball, Jack then had a lightbulb moment when one of the balls broke - let’s use these to create the paddles!

What was the process?

· About a year ago, we asked the pickleball community to donate their broken pickleballs and the response was overwhelming. We can’t thank you enough for all your help with this part of the process.

· Once we had collected these balls, with the help and guidance of Riber Products, we then had to separate them into their different plastic polymers. We then melted down the plastic and created 4 different moulds to be used to create our prototypes.

· We then, with the help of Sam Basford, strenuously tested the paddles, and continued to make minor amends until we were happy with our final product!

We now have a delivery of paddles and we want to get feedback on them so we are doing two things:

1. We are happy to announce we will be donated 200 of these paddles to Pickleball England to give to schools across the country, and get schoolchildren into playing pickleball early. Pickleball England are matching our 200 paddles and together we are launching a schools’s pilot test to gather feedback on the paddles, If you would like to be a part of this, please email schools@pickleballengland.org.

2. We are also introducing the paddles as starter paddles. The paddles are sold individually and in sets (2 paddles, 2 balls, and a mesh bag). Simply order on our website (insert link). When you are ready to upgrade your paddle, send it back to us (or bring along to an event we are at) and we will donate the paddle to the schools programme and credit you £xx (max credit £7.99) against your paddle purchase.

Don’t forget to bring any broken balls to any PBE tournaments or festivals, please bring any broken balls! These can be used to create future paddles.

Next stages?

When we get feedback from the pilot, we will use the learning to improve our offering but we are hopeful that this is just the start of us being able to reuse the broken balls for something good in pickleball.

Once again, we’d like to thank the community for all of your help with this scheme - this one’s for you!