Racket sports like padel, tennis, and squash are brilliant fun—and their popularity is only going up. Padel especially has taken off in the UK and around the world.

But there’s a side of the sport we don’t talk about enough: what happens to all those rackets once they’re no longer used?

Most rackets, especially padel ones, are made from a mix of carbon fibre, plastic, EVA foam and other synthetic materials. These are chosen for their performance—they’re light, strong and give players great control.

But there’s a catch: they’re not eco-friendly. Carbon fibre is extremely hard to recycle, and EVA foam (the soft core in most padel rackets) is made from petroleum and doesn’t break down naturally. Once a racket is damaged or unwanted, it usually ends up in landfill.

The problem is especially noticeable in padel. Unlike tennis rackets, which can last years, padel rackets often have a much shorter lifespan.

Players—especially keen amateurs or semi-pros—replace them every few months because the foam loses bounce or the outer shell cracks. That adds up to a huge number of rackets being discarded every year.

On top of that, most rackets are made overseas, often in Asia, and shipped around the world. This global supply chain adds more carbon emissions into the mix. From production to packaging to delivery, the footprint of a single racket is surprisingly high.

Yet, there’s very little conversation about sustainability in racket sports—at least, not compared to other areas like clothing or footwear.

So, what needs to change?

Embrace Second-hand Rackets

One of the simplest things we can do is keep rackets in use for longer. Buying and selling second-hand rackets—especially in sports like padel where gear can be pricey—makes financial and environmental sense. There’s already a growing community of players doing just that, and more dedicated platforms are starting to pop up to support it.

Push for More Sustainable Materials

Manufacturers need to take the lead by developing rackets made from recycled or lower-impact materials.

Even small changes—like using bio-resins instead of synthetic ones—can make a difference. Some brands are starting to explore these options, but it’s early days.

Set Up Recycling and Trade-in Schemes

We also need more initiatives from brands and clubs to collect old or broken rackets and recycle them properly.

If companies offered trade-in discounts for returning old rackets, more players would get involved—and fewer rackets would end up in the bin.

Educate and Raise Awareness

Lastly, we as players have a role to play. If we understand the impact our gear has on the planet, we can make better choices—like looking after our rackets to extend their life, or choosing a used one over a new one when we can.

Racket sports aren’t going anywhere, and neither should the planet. With a few changes and a bit of effort from everyone involved—players, brands and clubs—we can make the sport we love a little kinder to the world we play it in.