An unusual team-up between a primary school and a golf ball recycling company could help hit stormwater pollution in the rough for good.
After a big storm or heavy rain, we are all familiar with the sight of local drains being clogged with natural debris or floating trash.
However, a Melbourne-based Mount Waverley Primary School is part of a groundbreaking trial that could provide a one-stop solution to these problematic pollutants, which can otherwise lead to flooded streets and contaminated waterways.
The school has become the practice green for a game-changing design of new stormwater pit lids made from shredded recycled golf balls to prevent blockages and pollution.
The perforated pit lids prevent floating debris from building up at the drain entrance while only allowing water and liquids to pass through.
The partnership between Mount Waverley and Golf Ball Recycling (GBR) was teed up after local resident Eric Woolford noticed the school’s stormwater grates weren’t up to par while riding past on his e-bike.
He told Build-it that a backlog of branches, twigs and leaves jammed in some of the drains risked landing the school in the rough should heavy rains come through.
“I went down to the school and noticed all these drains are filled with leaves all the time, and I thought it was really becoming an ongoing issue,” he said.
“Some of the drain pits even had drawings around them the kids were drawing sea creatures with messages to be nice to the sea and not pollute the waterways.”
“It made me want to help find a way to make this a reality for them.”
Eric, who has experience working in the maintenance tech industry, thought the concrete aggregate material made from GBR’s recycled golf balls would be perfect for a permeable drain lid that would spare school hours of endless cleanup and maintenance costs.
“I had been trying to find an opportunity where this could be used, and when I thought about the drains, it was a lightbulb moment,” he said.
“We sent the school a proposal, and they thought it was a no-brainer.”
With a recognised focus on environmental protection, Mount Waverley Principal Campbell McKay said the new drain lids would help the school keep putt-ing sustainability and safety first.
“As a school setting high standards in sustainability, we are proud to be involved in this trial,” he said.
“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.”
“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.”
The shredded golf balls used in the lids are collected from participating local golf courses and council properties, creating a micro-circular golf ball economy within the area.
Damaged and unwanted golf balls are collected via Golf Ball Recycling bins and shredded to create aggregate for the permeable concrete used in the drain lid, formerly known as the Envirokerb Stormwater Pollution Prevention Inlet.
GBR wants to see further rounds of sustainable solutions nationwide, hoping to drive environmental change.
Senior Project Manager at Golf Ball Recycling Simon Lord said the wide-scale implementation of the new drainage lids could help reduce sports’ unnecessary waste.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
“Golf Ball Recycling takes great pride in partnering with Mount Waverley Primary School in this groundbreaking trial.”
