The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) has partnered with Veolia to implement comprehensive sustainability solutions as pickleball grows into a 20-million-player sport across the United States. This multiyear partnership focuses on environmental initiatives including plastic recycling, water treatment and refilling, waste management and building awareness among players and fans. Key achievements include introducing pickleball's first upcycled 3D-printed trophies, installing water refill stations that have saved approximately 25,000 plastic bottles across three tournaments and creating recycling programs for worn-out pickleballs that are converted into alternative fuels.
The partnership benefits both organizations: the PPA gains access to Veolia's expertise in waste, water and energy management to build a comprehensive sustainability strategy, while Veolia increases brand visibility in the U.S. sports market through tournament branding, broadcasts on CBS, Fox and ESPN and direct community engagement. As pickleball continues its rapid expansion, this collaboration aims to make the sport a "standard bearer for sustainability" and ensure tournament host cities benefit environmentally from each event, creating a replicable model for other sports leagues.
Read more about it in this story that appeared in Forbes.