Sustainability - USTA Southern California
“At USTA Southern California, sustainability isn’t just a project or a passing trend—it’s a commitment to protect the places where we play. By caring for our courts, communities, and environment, we’re ensuring that future generations can experience the same joy and connection through tennis—the world’s healthiest sport—that we do today.”
Since 2024, USTA SoCal has partnered with Los Angeles-based upcycled fashion company Rewilder to reduce waste and reimagine materials through impact-driven initiatives like Banners to Bags and Cans to Trophies.
Through our Banners to Bags initiative, we’ve reduced the number of banners we produce each year and have creatively upcycled our old and unused vinyl into one-of-a-kind tote bags.
Plastic from tennis cans is a significant contributor to the sport’s waste. By partnering with Rewilder, we’re extending that plastic’s lifetime by upcycling used cans into unique medallions.
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Through our Banners to Bags initiative, we’ve reduced the number of banners we produce each year and have creatively upcycled our old and unused vinyl into one-of-a-kind tote bags.
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Tens of thousands of balls are used annually at USTA SoCal events, often for short-term play and rarely reused or recycled. We saw an opportunity for change with creative solutions designed to give tennis balls a second life.
By working with Recycleballs, a nonprofit dedicated to tennis ball recycling, we’re giving used balls a responsible second life. Since tennis balls can take over 400 years to decompose, RecycleBalls separates the felt from the rubber core, repurposing the recovered material for surfaces like Laykold tennis courts and Green Gold equestrian tracks.
Beyond recycling, USTA SoCal repurposes unused tennis balls into eye-catching activations—like our in-house crafted Ball Wall—that bring sustainability to life at our events.
Tens of thousands of balls are used annually at USTA SoCal events, often for short-term play and rarely reused or recycled. We saw an opportunity for change with creative solutions designed to give tennis balls a second life.
By working with Recycleballs, a nonprofit dedicated to tennis ball recycling, we’re giving used balls a responsible second life. Since tennis balls can take over 400 years to decompose, RecycleBalls separates the felt from the rubber core, repurposing the recovered material for surfaces like Laykold tennis courts and Green Gold equestrian tracks.
Beyond recycling, USTA SoCal repurposes unused tennis balls into eye-catching activations—like our in-house crafted Ball Wall—that bring sustainability to life at our events.

Saved 1.2K Pounds of Rubber

We have saved 1,200 pounds of rubber from entering landfills by upcycling 10,000+ tennis balls to be used in Laykold court resurfacing.

4.6K Cans Into 2.3K Trophies

By turning 4,600 tennis ball cans into trophies, we removed 345 pounds of polyethylene terephthalate plastic from waste streams.

862 Feet of Banners Into Bags

By partnering with Rewilder, we have converted 862 sq. feet of old vinyl banners into 300 one-of-a-kind upcycled zip pouches and tote bags.

Saved 1.2K Pounds of Rubber

We have saved 1,200 pounds of rubber from entering landfills by upcycling 10,000+ tennis balls to be used in Laykold court resurfacing.

4.6K Cans Into 2.3K Trophies

By turning 4,600 tennis ball cans into trophies, we removed 345 pounds of polyethylene terephthalate plastic from waste streams.

862 Feet of Banners Into Bags

By partnering with Rewilder, we have converted have converted 862 sq. feet of vinyl banners into 300 one-of-a-kind upcycled zip pouches and tote bags.

Community

Playing our part starts with the communities we live in.

From recycling tennis balls to donating old tennis gear, we’re empowering our players to make lasting change and protect our planet.

Community

Playing our part starts with the communities we live in.

From recycling tennis balls to donating old tennis gear, we’re empowering our players to make lasting change and protect our planet.

Ball Swap Initiative

Our Ball Swap initiative—a circular program designed to extend the life of gently used tennis balls—is kicking off this year. Coaches and facilities can exchange old and unpressurized balls for lightly used balls in return, helping reduce waste while keeping quality play standards high.

Email jgrigaux@scta.usta.com if you would like to participate in the program!

Equipment Donation Initiative

Our Equipment Donation initiative extends the life of used tennis equipment by collecting gently used shoes, racquets, balls, and bags at USTA SoCal events, then redistributing them to players, programs, and community organizations through partners like Second Serve. Players can drop off items at tournament desks, ensuring their gear continues to make an impact rather than going to waste.

Email jgrigaux@scta.usta.com if you would like to participate in the program!

Ball Swap Initiative

Our Ball Swap initiative—a circular program designed to extend the life of gently used tennis balls—is kicking off this year. Coaches and facilities can exchange old and unpressurized balls for lightly used balls in return, helping reduce waste while keeping quality play standards high.

Email jgrigaux@scta.usta.com if you would like to participate in the program!

Equipment Donation Initiative

Our Equipment Donation initiative extends the life of used tennis equipment by collecting gently used shoes, racquets, balls, and bags at USTA SoCal events, then redistributing them to players, programs, and community organizations through partners like Second Serve. Players can drop off items at tournament desks, ensuring their gear continues to make an impact rather than going to waste.

Email jgrigaux@scta.usta.com if you would like to participate in the program!