The New Pickleball That's Solving the Plastic Problem

Did you know around 500 million pickleballs are produced annually? That's enough pickleballs to fill 497 football fields.

It also means that for every cracked, dead, or warped ball - it all ends up in a landfill, where it sits for the next 100 years before breaking down.

We were pretty shocked by those numbers and considering the Dink team are pretty avid recyclers, it was a surprise that our hobby could be contributing that much plastic waste.

So when Komodo Pickleball approached us with their BioBall— a ball that plays just like your favorite go-to tournament ball but biodegrades in 3-5 years instead of a century — it immediately got our attention.

Of course, using a ball that degrades 20x faster and lasts 5x as long is great, but the very first question we had before moving any further was: does the BioBall actually hold up on the court? (Because let’s be honest—no one is switching balls just to save the planet if it doesn’t play well.)

Testing the BioBall on Court

Komodo sent the Dink team a few packs of the BioBall and we immediately took them to the courts to put them to the test.

The first thing that stood out was the durability. It held up for approximately 70 games without cracking or warping, matching or even outlasting some of the most popular balls on the market.

"The Komodo BioBall is really durable. After 8-9 games of play with my friends, it surprisingly still holds its shape. No warping or hidden cracks – we’re still using the same ball and it’s playing great." — Alina, Ft Lauderdale FL.

Unlike cheaper alternatives that crack within a few games, when the BioBall microfractures over time, it still maintains a true bounce and solid flight, making it both a great tournament and recreational ball.

One of the players on the court with Alina had this to say when asked about the BioBall:

"The BioBall has great color and feel, plays as well as any other ball, and is incredibly durable. I was impressed by how long it lasted without cracking. Plus, it's biodegradable, which is awesome for the planet."— Michael, Miami FL.

It also offers a little more playability than a certain big-name competitor, meaning players who prefer a slightly faster ball will feel right at home with it.

And for those worried about durability in extreme temperatures, Komodo has tested the BioBall in hot climates like Florida and Arizona, proving that it holds its shape without warping—something not every ball on the market can claim.

If you need more proof, check out this Instagram video of players putting the BioBall through its paces. The feedback? A ball that feels great off the paddle, holds up over time, and doesn’t sacrifice performance for sustainability.

Can Players Tell the Difference?

When Luke from the Dink team took the balls to his local courts, he decided to swap out the game balls and see if anyone noticed a difference.

"I fed the BioBall into around 2 hours of gameplay with 4.5-pro-level players and not a single one noticed they weren't playing with their usual favorite. That's the first time that's happened." — Luke, Tampa FL.

Players who are used to the current “gold standard” tournament ball will find that the BioBall offers a similar hardness with a touch more playability, making it an easy transition. It plays fast but maintains control, making it just as reliable in a high-stakes match as it is in a long drilling session.

It’s already gaining traction among college players, with the National Collegiate Pickleball Association (NCPA) incorporating it into their tournaments. With a ball on the market that is better for the environment but still plays well, it's kind of a no-brainer on which to choose.

Sustainability Without Sacrificing Performance

When we spoke to Komodo, they said there isn’t a massive demand for a biodegradable pickleball but they're working hard to change that. They also admitted that the only way to achieve that is by delivering a product that performs just as well, if not better, than the competition.

Players won’t switch for sustainability alone—it has to play well first, and that’s exactly what Komodo focused on when developing the BioBall.

Beyond performance, the BioBall is priced competitively, coming in at just a dollar more per pack than standard tournament balls. When you factor in the fact that it lasts longer, you’re buying fewer balls overall, which not only makes sense for the environment but also for your wallet.

Our Verdict on the BioBall

If you’re burning through dozens of pickleballs every month and you don't hate the environment, the BioBall is a no-brainer.

It lasts longer, plays great, and won’t sit in a landfill for a century after you’re done with it. Simple as that!

Komodo has created a ball that feels just as solid as the best on the market while introducing a much-needed step toward sustainability in pickleball.

And if the only difference is a small shift in mindset toward a more eco-conscious option, making the switch is an easy decision.

Check out Komodo Pickleball’s BioBall and see for yourself.