Dots.Recycling – Recycling of padel and tennis balls

Dots.Recycling is leading an ambitious value chain collaboration to ensure that used padel and tennis balls no longer end up as waste but are instead given new life in circular products.

Purpose

The purpose of the collaboration is to establish a fully circular, scalable, and data-driven value chain that extends the lifespan of padel and tennis balls, reduces waste, and lowers their climate impact. Through technology, logistics and innovation, over 2 million balls will be reused and recycled by 2026 – creating the foundation for international expansion.

Contribution to CO₂ and waste reduction

The project is expected to reduce climate impact by an estimated 1,761 tons of CO₂eq and save 130 tons of waste during the project period. Looking ahead to 2030, the annual collection of 20 million balls could save up to 1,300 tons of waste and 4,370 tons of CO₂eq each year.

From collection to recycling – a new model for the ball lifecycle

Each year, more than 1 billion balls are produced globally—most of which end up as residual waste. This project addresses this resource stream and develops a solution that harnesses the full potential of used balls:

• Scaling the collection network from 10% to 70% of the Danish market—with logistics powered by a software solution developed by Multillo ApS.
• Automated sorting and quality testing developed by Bila and Dansk Maskin Vision—using image recognition to determine whether the balls can be reused, broken down into felt pads, or granulated for use in flooring.
• New life for the balls in four product categories: Dots.Replay (reuse), Dots.Funball (training/play), Dots.Feltpads (furniture protection), and Dots.Floor (flooring).
• Implementation of new packaging for Dots.Replay, developed and widely promoted in collaboration with Sport24.

The system is data-driven: every step of the ball’s journey is logged, creating transparency, traceability, and a strong foundation for scaling—both technically and geographically.

Who Participates?

Participating Companies

• Dots.Recycling ApS – Project manager, value chain development and product manager.
• Multilo ApS – Develops logistics and tracking system and handles transportation.
• Dansk Maskin Vision ApS – Develops image recognition and data technology.
• Bila A/S – Develops and implements sorting and packing systems.
• Sport24 A/S – Retail partner and market introduction.