Balls in sport: Their impact on the planet and searching for sustainable solutions
Balls are a fundamental part of many sports and are produced by the millions every year around the world.
Many are made of leather—it takes 35,000 cowhides to make the 700,000 balls used in a regular NFL season—while rubber and plastic are also widely used.
The materials used, the production processes, and the fact that many end up either in landfills or in the ocean mean that balls can have a negative impact on the environment.
So what are the problems and can you do something about them?
A dependency on animal products and non-renewable resources
According to Wilson Sporting Goods, the official NFL ball manufacturer since 1941, a single cowhide can make about 20 NFL balls. The Super Bowl alone will reportedly require 216 balls, with each team receiving 54 for practice and an equal number for the game.
In the NBA, basketballs, also made by Wilson, are primarily made of leather and rubber. The leather used in official NBA basketballs has been sourced from The Horween Leather Co of Chicago for 20 years, and approximately 10 official size balls can be made per skin.
The balls for bat-and-ball sports such as Test cricket and Major League Baseball are also made from leather and rubber, as well as cork and twine or yarn.
So why is the use of animal products a problem?
Most nations have joined paris accord, which formulates the goal of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
The impact of livestock on emissions varies from country to country. Globally, the UN makes more than 14% of all man-made greenhouse gases, including methane.
When we talk about emissions, we usually think of carbon dioxide (CO2). Emissions from livestock farming also include methane, which is up to 34 times more polluting than CO2 in 100 years, according to the UN.
However, Wilson has said that the animals from which the skins for his sports balls come were not only raised for this purpose, but were used for meat production. The company adds that it has clear policies and guidelines based on internationally recognized standards.
With many sports balls, there are also the extraction, production, transportation of raw materials, transportation of the end product, and energy factors, all of which have an impact on the planet.
For example, the rubber in a soccer ball could come from one part of Asia while production takes place in another.
In soccer, it is estimated that more than 40 million balls are produced worldwide every year. Modern premium balls are primarily made from butyl rubber, as well as polyurethane or synthetic leather, which is derived from plastic derived from crude oil, making it a non-renewable resource – although some of the adhesives and textiles may be naturally sourced.
This year’s World Cup ball from Adidas, which also includes the Addition of a microchip in its centerwill also add more materials and production time to those used at the top of the game.
Where do balls land?
2018 as part of a photo project PENALTY, Mandy Barker took to social media to urge people around the world to send her footballs that washed up on beaches. In four months, 992 balls of sea debris were recovered from 41 different islands and countries and from 144 different beaches by 89 members of the public.
While many end up in the sea, many others end up in landfills.
Some sports already have ways to extend the life of the balls used.
In the Premier League, footballs are recycled where possible. Clubs use the same kit every part of the season and reuse it in training sessions and matches.
Balls can be recycled or reused in a variety of ways, including being given to the academy age groups, being used in rehabilitation sessions after injuries, and being given to charities including clubs’ community programs.
Tottenham Hotspur who was done Shared top spot with Liverpool in Green League 2021 Chart, which measures the sustainability of all 20 top teams, said every one of their unusable footballs is given to police dogs and sniffer dogs operating at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Boston Red Sox orders about 56,000 baseballs during a season, and once used, they become batting practice balls or are sometimes sent to their minor league affiliates.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said that once balls are no longer usable at the highest level, they will be donated to schools.
It also confirmed that it is a more sustainable ball, although given the traditional nature of most handcrafted balls for elite play, development could take some time.
Wilson said there are a handful of initiatives underway that would launch next year. They will be part of their “Gen Green” product collection.
The company, whose tennis division boasts a naked line of racquets made with a focus on sustainability, has also hired a sustainability director to spearhead initiatives across its portfolio.
“We are always evaluating sustainable materials and manufacturing methods that meet the high expectations of professional players and our global consumers,” a spokesman told BBC Sport.
“We pride ourselves on the quality and durability of our products. However, we are always looking for more ways to reuse and recycle all of our products.”
Is there a better way?
There are companies that claim to make eco-friendly sports balls and equipment.
For example a Canadian company manufactures water-soluble and biodegradable golf balls and plans to expand into biodegradable golf tees.
Another is based in the US eco sports, which manufactures “high quality sports equipment” using “eco-friendly, biodegradable TPU”.
Founder Troy Akin started the company after researching vegan sporting goods and discovering that those he came across used toxic plastics.
“I found a material that is biodegradable, sustainable, vegan and works well for most sporting goods – and I developed Eco Sports from that,” he told BBC Sport.
Due to the properties of TPU it can be used in a wide range of products and as part of their range they sell basketballs, soccer balls and American footballs.
“Technically it’s still a mix of rubber and plastic, it’s just much more sustainably made and will degrade in three to five years,” he added.
“While it’s the best option out there, I still think we can get better at sporting goods and that’s where we’re headed.”
There are challenges with changing the ball at a professional level.
Athletes can be creatures of habit, and since the ball is often their primary tool, even the slightest change can be problematic.
In the summer of 2006, the NBA introduced a new synthetic basketball manufactured by Spalding, the pre-Wilson official NBA ball supplier. At the time, it was reportedly the first change to the NBA ball in more than 35 years and only the second in 60 seasons.
The ball was made of a synthetic material that players were quick to complain about, not being as bouncy as the old one, being too slippery and even scratching your hands. As a result, the old leather ball was soon brought back.
Similarly, some goalkeepers complained about the movement of the eight-piece World Cup ball from 2010 – featuring England David James calls the Jabulani “terrible”. Adjustments have been made to avoid similar issues in future releases.
In terms of broader sports equipment, Eco Sport plans to expand its range as it aims to do more for the planet.
“Baseball gloves are our biggest next goal and we’re working on that with baseballs,” explains Akin.
“There are various sports that could use animal products or produce a more environmentally friendly product.”
