In a recent conversation with Matt Cerny, founder of Pickle for the People, we explored how his company is working to make pickleball more sustainable and accessible to all.
Fit Pickler: Hi Matt, what got you into pickleball, and what inspired you to start your own paddle company?
Matt: Like most people, we got into pickleball right after COVID. That’s where it kind of exploded. We started with a $50 Amazon paddle, outgrew it within a month or two, and then I was gobsmacked to see paddles selling for $250. Having done some importing and exporting before – I used to live in China when I was an English teacher – I reached out to some connections. Once I realized the markup these large companies are charging the actual players, I felt like it was my duty to do something about it.
Fit Pickler: Tell me about your paddle donation program.
Matt: We realized there are millions of old paddles being bought and sold every year, and unless they’re being reclaimed and distributed to others who can use them, they’re just going to be filling up landfills. So we started the donation program where anyone with an old paddle, regardless of quality as long as it’s still playable, can donate it to us and get 20% off one of our paddles. We’ve partnered with 501(c)(3)s and local pickleball clubs to help with distribution of all these donated paddles.
Fit Pickler: So, you’re focusing on underserved communities with these donations?
Matt: Exactly. We’re really looking at under-championed communities that don’t have the right access to courts or equipment. We’re working with schools because we think this will be a nationwide thing where schools will be getting these courts, nets, and paddles. We know schools don’t have a ton of money, so we’re looking at partnering with 501(c)(3)s to set up packages to get schools started.
Fit Pickler: That is great, and how else does sustainability factor into your business model?
Matt: We purposely made sure that when we’re shipping, we don’t have plastic in there. It’s a very scaled-back box – just generic brown, recyclable cardboard. We didn’t want to put a bunch of ink on there that will limit its recyclability. We’re even doing R&D to eliminate the plastic core that every pickleball paddle has. We’re looking at flax fiber, basalt fiber, hemp fiber, jute – there are all these different types of carbon-negative fibers we could be using instead of carbon fiber or Kevlar.
Fit Pickler: I notice you have a different approach to the balls as well?
Matt: Yes, the balls I currently sell are made of TPE – thermoplastic elastomer – and they actually have a bit of a rubberized quality. What’s cool about that is they’re not thermoset like all the other virgin plastic. These are thermoplastic, so if you reheat them, you could reform that plastic into whatever shape you wanted.
Fit Pickler: Tell us about your background, what informs your approach to sustainability.
Matt: I have my Bachelor of Science in horticulture, so I’ve always been very environmentally eco-conscious with everything I do. In working with import/export out of China, it’s very important to know what materials you’re working with and what kind of environmental impact those materials have.
Fit Pickler: That’s fantastic. How can our readers get involved if they want to donate paddles?
Matt: Right now, we’re bootstrapping everything and trying to figure out the best way to help the most people. For now, anyone who buys one of our paddles can put their old paddle in that box, and I’ll send a prepaid return label. We’re also looking at setting up permanent drop boxes at local entertainment places here in Denver. Ideally, we’d have this all over the country.
Fit Pickler: What about readers outside of Denver?
Matt: If you have a critical mass of paddles or know of a school that needs to get a program started, you can reach out to myself or Susan Swern at Pickleball for Good. They’re fantastic at getting old paddles to under-championed communities.
Fit Pickler: Beyond the equipment, what draws you to pickleball?
Matt: Last Thanksgiving, seeing my 70-year-old parents and my 10-year-old nephews playing competitively on the same court – that was it for me.
Fit Pickler: I always say that! Name another sport where your 70-year-old mom and your 10-year-old kid can go out and play together competitively.
Matt: Exactly, and it’s competitive. You don’t know who’s going to win, because there’s no real edge.
Fit Pickler: It seems like your company is really embracing this community aspect of pickleball.
Matt: Absolutely. Every decision Pickle for the People makes is based on the three P’s: People, Pickleball, and Planet. If we don’t serve one of those three things to improve them, we don’t do it. We don’t want to be a multi-million-dollar company that then says, “Oh, we’ll be carbon neutral by 2050.” Let’s just do it right now.
Fit Pickler: That’s a bold approach. How do you manage that financially?
Matt: Everything about this company is bootstrapped. I’m just pouring in all my paychecks from my full-time job into this company so we can keep doing this R&D. Maybe one day we’ll find the right partner that also believes in environmental sustainability. I’d rather be a company that I stand behind and champion and is eco-friendly, as opposed to one that’s purely about making money.
Fit Pickler: This has been really enlightening, Matt. Any final thoughts for our readers who want to get involved or learn more?
Matt: Thank you for having me. This has been great talking with you. I look forward to helping anyone that reads this newsletter get into the game or with a paddle donation. If anyone wants to reach out, they can email me directly at hello@pickleforthepeople.co. All those emails go directly to me, because it’s just me. And you can check out our website at pickleforthepeople.co.
I think more and more people are caring about the planet, and I know for a fact there’s more and more people playing pickleball so I want my company to speak to those people who occupy that Venn Diagram space or love of pickleball and love of the planet
Fit Pickler: Thank you, Matt. We’re really looking forward to seeing what kind of response you get from our readers and we wish you all the best on your amazing and important pickleball venture.
