Belgian eco-designer Mathilde Wittock is tackling the massive waste problem posed by discarded tennis balls by transforming them into bespoke furniture pieces. With around 300 million tennis balls manufactured annually, most of which end up in landfills and take 400 years to decompose, Wittock’s innovative approach offers a circular solution. Her team can hand-carve up to 1,800 balls a day, using them as micro-cushioning elements for stylish and comfortable furniture, such as chaise lounges and benches. These pieces, with tennis ball fuzz dyed to match interior design schemes, take about 2-3 weeks to complete, adding a touch of eco-friendly sophistication to any space.
Wittock’s venture highlights the importance of circularity in eco-design, as she seeks to give discarded tennis balls a second life. By receiving large donations of used tennis balls from sports organizations, such as the Federation of Wallonia, Wittock can sustainably source her materials and produce furniture for months. Once the lifespan of her furniture ends, Wittock ensures the pieces remain eco-friendly by repurposing the rubber shells into bouncy play mats for children. This approach ensures that even the waste from her products can be reused, making her designs sustainable and minimizing their environmental impact.
