Recycling Tennis Balls

A VERMONT NONPROFIT AIMS TO SCORE AN ENVIRONMENTAL WIN BY RECYCLING TENNIS BALLS. JACK THURSTON OF WBTS EXPLAINS HOW ONE COMPANY IS SERVING UP A WAY TO LOVE THE EARTH.
BEFORE THIS FLOORING WAS FLOORING -- EVEN BEFORE THE RUBBER IN IT WAS CHOPPED INTO TINY BITS
((Nats playing tennis))
IT WAS A BUNCH OF TENNIS BALLS.
S/ Dave Simkins, Tennis Player :06-:10
"Anything you can do to get more use out of any material is important."
FOR YEARS, DAVE SIMKINS HAS BEEN UNCOMFORTABLE WITH A REALITY OF THE SPORT ..
"It seemed, always, very wasteful."
((Nats hitting ball))
SEE, BALLS HAVE REALLY SHORT LIVES THEY RE OFTEN USED ONLY FOR A SINGLE OUTING, BEFORE THEY RE CONSIDERED TRASH.
BUT NOW RECYCLEBALLS IS SERVING UP A SOLUTION.
S/ Derrick Senior, RecycleBalls :18-:20
"I had no idea it was such a big problem."
LONGTIME TENNIS PLAYER DERRICK SENIOR LEARNED A FEW HUNDRED MILLION BALLS WERE BOUNCING INTO U.S. LANDFILLS EVERY YEAR.
"That s 20,000 tons of non-decomposable waste."
AND HE SAYS IT CAN TAKE FOUR CENTURIES FOR A BALL TO BREAK DOWN NATURALLY.
((Nats turning on machine))
SO HE CAME UP WITH A MACHINE THAT SEPARATES THE FUZZ FROM THE RUBBER.
((Nats chopping up balls))
THE FLUFFY STUFF BECOMES FOOTING FOR HORSE ARENAS... AND ALL THOSE LITTLE CHIPS OF RUBBER GET USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TENNIS COURTS.
"We re definitely making an impact."
RYAN SENIOR IS DERRICK S SON.
"These are all sorted balls."
HE S HELPING RECYCLEBALLS EFFORT TO DISTRIBUTE COLLECTION BOXES TO GYMS, PARKS, AND OTHER TENNIS FACILITIES NATIONWIDE, PROVIDING SHIPPING LABELS THAT SEND FULL CONTAINERS BACK TO THE HEADQUARTERS IN VERMONT.
(Reporter) The fact you ve been able to accomplish this with tennis balls, does that mean you can recycle almost anything?
S/ Ryan Senior, RecycleBalls 1:01-1:09
"Yeah, I think so. There s a lot of waste that s created in this world right now. It s important to look where you can and make a difference."
((Nats puncturing balls))
RECYCLEBALLS BELIEVES IT S MAKING THAT DIFFERENCE DIVERTING SOME SIX-MILLION BALLS FROM TRASH BINS OVER FOUR YEARS...
"It s a start!"
...AND AIMING TO EXPAND ITS COLLECTION NETWORK INTERNATIONALLY HOPING TO, OVER TIME, SCORE A BIG WIN FOR THE PLANET.

[@marcbienstock1130]

Interesting! Is the machine to separate thé felt expensive? Any other uses for the rubber or felt? Can the balls be recycled / used without separating the felt? Thanks. How can I help?