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Tennis balls. Millions of them end up in landfills each year. But before you toss that fuzzy yellow sphere, consider its upcycling potential! These durable, bouncy, and surprisingly versatile items can be transformed into a variety of creative and practical objects. Let’s explore innovative ways to give old tennis balls a new life.

Designed by Brussels-based bio/ecodesigner and material researcher Mathilde Wittock, Soundbounce transforms discarded tennis balls into a material that’s not just eco-friendly, but also visually and texturally captivating. It rethinks how a seemingly simple object like a tennis ball can evolve into a world where waste has purpose.

Soundbounce begins with the countless used tennis balls that are reminders of matches and memories, often destined for landfills. The world produces an estimated 330 million tennis balls annually. Once the game is over, most balls are discarded, and they take over 400 years to decompose. Wittock rescues them from this fate, reimagining them into a soft yet durable, lightweight yet strong material that retains the energy of their previous life.

The texture of Soundbounce is instantly appealing – soft and slightly springy, it evokes the original ball while feeling entirely new. It’s a surface that invites interaction, warm to the touch, with a playfulness that belies its eco-conscious origins. Its imperfections aren’t flaws; they’re subtle reminders of the material’s journey, adding depth and intrigue. The designer can also customize the tennis balls with RAL colors upon request, which makes it perfect for various types of projects.

That lighthearted charm makes Soundbounce adaptable to a range of applications, from furniture and interior design to fashion accessories and even pet products. Its soft, tactile surface is ideal for upholstery, adding comfort and visual appeal to chairs, cushions, and benches. Designers can also use it for accent pieces like lampshades or wall panels, where its textured finish becomes a focal point.

Beyond aesthetics, Soundbounce delivers significant environmental benefits. Each square meter incorporates approximately 283 upcycled tennis balls, preventing them from entering landfills and repurposing the equivalent of 8.5 kg of CO2. By transforming waste into a functional, beautiful material, Soundbounce champions a circular approach to design, proving that sustainability can be both beautiful and impactful.

Building on the theme of re-purposing, the second project embraces the nostalgia and fandom surrounding tennis, transforming iconic sporting elements into functional and desirable products. The hearO 3.0 Bluetooth speaker offers a tangible piece of Wimbledon, making the magic of the tournament accessible even from afar.

hearO’s design philosophy diverges from conventional audio products, and its latest creation embodies that distinct approach. The hearO 3.0 speaker ingeniously repurposes actual tennis balls used during the year’s Wimbledon competition. The speaker cleverly retains the classic shape and distinctive green color of the tennis ball, complete with the Slazenger logo and tournament branding, ensuring immediate recognition and a connection to the event.

Inside each upcycled tennis ball lies a powerful 3W speaker, boasting a frequency range of 100Hz to 20kHz. A white speaker grill subtly integrates into the ball’s design, maintaining the iconic aesthetic. The speaker is powered by a 500mAh battery, offering portability for music, podcasts, and audiobooks on the go. It also comes with a convenient charging cradle, featuring both USB-A and USB-C ports for easy recharging.

Beyond its innovative upcycling element, the hearO 3.0 speaker appeals to tennis enthusiasts, offering a unique memento of the prestigious tournament. Though the balls’ past is unknown, the speaker allows fans to feel connected to Wimbledon.

This project not only showcases the creativity that comes with repurposing, but also highlights a brand’s commitment to sustainability. The brand even partners with The European Nature Trust, promising to plant a tree for every hearO 3.0 speaker purchased, further reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility and ensuring the legacy of the reused tennis balls continues beyond the court.

This focus on imagination takes a huge step with Nicole McLaughlin, who showcases how the most everyday item can be turned into a statement piece. Her work isn’t just about function, it’s about making people question what can be considered art. While her 9-to-5 is creating graphic designs for Reebok’s Classics Apparel, her side hustle is the creation of streetwear made from scraps. Tennis balls are a frequent and central theme, and the material’s unique texture and visual signature allow for a wealth of creativity.

McLaughlin’s work has reached a new level, showcasing her innovative approach. She takes tennis balls and turns them into footwear. This leads to pieces such as a bulbous slipper crafted from warped Winston tennis balls. She’s also used this approach to make clothing, such as her “tennis ball Carhartt beanie.”

McLaughlin’s designs aren’t just conceptual; they are wearable, striking a balance between playfulness and practicality. Her approach aligns with the core principles of sustainability: reducing waste, embracing resourcefulness, and rethinking the life cycle of familiar objects. Seeing these tennis balls, transformed into new products, is a constant reminder of how waste can be repurposed.