Old basketballs can be donated to youth programs, turned into planters or pet toys, or repurposed around the house. Throwing them in the trash sends a mix of synthetic rubber, nylon, and polyurethane to a landfill where those materials will sit for decades without breaking down. Here are the best ways to give an old basketball a second life.
Why Basketballs Don’t Belong in the Trash
A basketball is built from three layers: a bladder made of about 85% butyl rubber and 15% natural rubber, a carcass of nylon and polyester thread wound tightly around the bladder, and an outer cover of synthetic polyurethane leather (or genuine leather on high-end balls). None of these materials break down easily. Polyester is resistant to environmental breakdown, and nylon production generates nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Once a basketball hits a landfill, it stays there.
Standard curbside recycling programs won’t take them either. Municipal recycling bins accept plastics labeled #1 through #7, glass, metal cans, and paper products. A composite rubber ball with bonded layers of nylon and polyurethane doesn’t fit any of those categories. You won’t find a basketball recycling bin at your local waste facility.
Donate to Youth Sports Programs
If your basketball still holds air and has a usable surface, donating it is the simplest and most impactful option. Plenty of schools, recreation centers, and after-school programs operate on tight budgets and gladly accept used equipment.
Leveling the Playing Field is a national nonprofit that collects used sports equipment and distributes it to schools, youth leagues, and community programs so more kids can play. They accept all kinds of gear, including basketballs, and operate collection points in several regions. Local options include Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA branches, church youth groups, and community centers. Many will take balls that are scuffed or worn as long as they’re still functional. A quick phone call confirms whether a nearby program needs equipment before you make the trip.
Turn It Into a Hanging Planter
A deflated or worn-out basketball makes a surprisingly good planter for small trailing plants or succulents. The round shape holds a grow pot snugly, and the textured surface gives it a look you won’t find at a garden store. You can leave the basketball as-is or paint it with acrylics for a more colorful display.
To make one, you need scissors, a plastic grow pot that fits inside the ball, solid rope or cord, a hole punch tool, and metal eyelets. Start by placing the grow pot upside down on the basketball and tracing around the rim with a marker. Cut along the line carefully to create a clean opening. Punch holes evenly around the cut edge, insert metal eyelets, and thread rope through them to create a hanging basket. Tie secure knots inside the ball so the rope holds the planter’s weight reliably, and attach the whole thing to a ceiling hook rated for the combined weight of the ball, pot, soil, and plant.
The inner grow pot handles drainage on its own, so you don’t need to drill holes in the basketball itself. Just lift the pot out when you need to water and let it drain before placing it back inside.
Other Practical Repurposing Ideas
Basketballs are durable by design, which makes them useful raw material for a range of projects beyond planters.
- Dog toy: A deflated basketball with the valve removed gives large dogs something tough to chew on and carry around. The textured surface is easy for them to grip. Supervise play and discard it once pieces start tearing off.
- Doorstop or furniture pad: Cut the ball in half and place the flat side down. The rubber grips floors well and protects against scratches.
- Storage bowl: A halved basketball, cleaned and stabilized with a flat base, works as a catch-all for keys, mail, or sports gear in a mudroom. Paint or seal the interior for a cleaner look.
- Photography or art prop: Old, beat-up basketballs have visual character. Photographers, art teachers, and still-life painters often want objects with texture and wear.
- Garage organization: Bolt a halved basketball to a pegboard or wall and use it as a holder for smaller balls, gloves, or loose gear.
Sell or Give Away Online
Even a basketball that’s lost its bounce may have value to someone. Listings on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Freecycle, or Buy Nothing groups regularly move used sports equipment to new homes. Be honest about the condition. If it’s a name-brand ball with cosmetic wear but decent grip, someone will want it for outdoor pickup games where a pristine ball isn’t necessary. Posting it as free and available for local pickup is the fastest way to keep it out of the trash.
What About Recycling Programs?
No major manufacturer currently runs a consumer take-back program specifically for basketballs. Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, which grinds athletic shoes into material for playground and track surfaces, is limited to footwear and available at select Nike stores. Wilson has publicly committed to circular design thinking and reducing landfill waste, but hasn’t launched a direct consumer return program for used balls as of now. The reality is that the mixed-material construction of basketballs, with rubber bonded to nylon bonded to polyurethane, makes industrial recycling difficult and expensive.
Some specialty rubber recyclers or local makers/artists may accept old balls if you ask. Searching for rubber recycling or upcycling groups in your area occasionally turns up options. But for most people, donation or creative reuse remains the most realistic path.