In Colts Neck, NJ, a remarkable story unfolded in 2022. Richard Ecklord, a 16-year-old resident, discovered his passion for tennis that summer. With two years of playing experience under his belt, in 2023, he took on a new role as a tennis coach and became well-versed with the local tennis courts in Monmouth County. However, during a game in September, an unusual sight caught his attention. On the grass just outside the courts lay 20-30 tennis balls, untouched throughout the day. This sight led him to think deeply about recycling. "Reviving Tennis Balls and the Environment One Court at a Time"
Richard Ecklord's Tennis Journey
Richard Ecklord's love for tennis began in 2022. Since then, he has been actively involved in the sport. In 2023, his role as a tennis coach took him around Monmouth County's local courts. This experience gave him a unique perspective on the issue of tennis ball waste.The sight of the abandoned tennis balls on that September day was a turning point for him. It made him realize the importance of taking action to address the environmental impact of such waste.
The Birth of Tennis Balls Round Two
In October 2024, Tennis Balls Round Two was born. The organization's primary goal is to reduce the number of tennis balls ending up in landfills. By partnering with local tennis courts, they work to find homes for abandoned and used tennis balls in recycling drop-off centers throughout Monmouth County.Currently, there are drop-off locations at Park Avenue Tennis Center in Oakhurst, New Shrewsbury Racquet Club in Tinton Falls, and the Laird Road Tennis Courts in Colts Neck. When local courts partner with Round Two, they are provided with a recycling box to collect used tennis balls. Once the box is full, Round Two ships it to Recycle Balls, which uses the donations to create new tennis courts, equestrian turf, playground mulch, and more.
Balancing School and Leadership
As a high school junior, Ecklord faces the challenge of balancing school work with running an organization. However, he has found a way to bring Round Two's work and his school together. Around mid-October, he started visiting clubs after school to teach them about the program and its goal of recycling as many tennis balls as possible.He has noticed that not everyone is receptive to the idea initially, but whenever they ask people about recycling their tennis balls, they are often thrilled. This shows the potential for positive change through education and awareness.
The Impact of Round Two
Since starting Round Two, the program has already recycled 2,000 used tennis balls. Considering that one tennis ball takes 400 years to decompose and 125 million tennis balls end up in landfills each year, the impact of this initiative is significant.Ecklord remains committed to expanding Round Two and continuing to prioritize environmental cleanup. He believes that there is no excuse for not recycling and that by taking action, we can make a positive difference for the environment.
