Mount Waverley Primary School implements world-first trial with recycled golf ball

Melbourne, Victoria – In an unexpected yet innovative pairing, a primary school and golf balls take centre stage. Golf Ball Recycling (GBR) teams up with Mount Waverley Primary School to conduct a groundbreaking trial of stormwater pit lids made from shredded used golf balls.

Mount Waverley Primary School is the first in Australia to install this innovative stormwater filtration solution on school grounds. With elements crafted entirely from recycled golf balls, this stormwater pit lid effectively prevents litter from polluting our waterways, allowing only water and liquids to pass through.

The shredded golf balls used in the lids are collected from participating golf courses and council properties, including Glen Waverley Sports Hub, Oakleigh Golf Course and Monash Recycling and Waste Centre to close the golf ball’s circular journey within the City of Monash.

Principal Campbell McKay of Mount Waverley Primary School expresses enthusiasm for the project, stating: “As a school setting high standards in sustainability, we are proud to be involved in this trial. We also see benefits aesthetically and safety-wise. The pits can be coloured and blend in with any decal or surface colour. Equally, the pit surface is not as harsh, should a child fall on them. Finally, the golf ball stormwater pit saves a lot of time because we don’t need to clear drains, we can just blow vac over the top.”

Simon Lord, Senior Project Manager at Golf Ball Recycling, highlights the significance of this trial: “Golf Ball Recycling takes great pride in partnering with Mount Waverley Primary School in this groundbreaking trial. Over 350 million golf balls are sent to landfills each year. The balls saved from landfills by other companies are resold, not recycled, and still end up in landfill at the end of their life.”

“The simple yet powerful switch to our recycled golf ball stormwater lid marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future, and we hope this project inspires other schools and communities to explore similar eco-friendly solutions.”

The collaboration came about when Eric Woolford, Project Manager at Golf Ball Recycling, went on his daily walk around the neighbourhood and noticed an overflow of leaves and debris from the congested stormwater grates on the school grounds. Seeing an environmental opportunity, he presented the solution to the primary school with the rest of the team and the trial was born.

Damaged and unwanted golf balls are collected via Golf Ball Recycling bins, then shredded to create golf ball ‘aggregate’ and turned into permeable concrete used in the Envirokerb Stormwater Pollution Prevention Inlet (ESPPI).

This sustainable stormwater filtration solution addresses the growing environmental impact of golf ball waste and pollution while aligning with a primary school that has long been a leader in environmental initiatives.

The school’s commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among its students is reflected in its 5-Star Resource Smart School status, and being awarded Sustainability Victoria’s Resource Smart School of the Year in 2020.

During the trial, maintenance staff will monitor the effectiveness of the pit lid in managing stormwater runoff, preventing blockages, and improving maintenance efficiency.

By conducting this trial, Golf Ball Recycling hopes to expand this sustainable solution nationwide and set a new standard for environmental responsibility in educational institutions.