Recyclable golf ball and method therefor

Abstract

Distribution channels for returning used golf balls to the original manufacturers are disclosed. Incentives for golfers to return golf balls for recycling are also provided.

1 . A method for recycling golf balls comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of new golf balls through at least one forward distribution channel for conveying golf balls to a purchaser;   (b) accepting a plurality of used golf balls for recycling through at least one reverse distribution channel or one dynamic distribution channel;   (c) sorting the plurality of used golf balls;   (d) calculating a recycling reward associated with the plurality of used golf balls;   (e) awarding a recycling reward to the at least one recycling entity; and   (f) reprocessing the used golf balls.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises a first forward distribution channel for conveying golf balls from a manufacturer to a first purchaser. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (a) comprises a second forward distribution channel for conveying golf balls from the first purchaser to a second purchaser. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first purchaser is selected form the group consisting of golf facilities, consumers, retail stores, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second purchaser is a consumer. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises a first reverse distribution channel for conveying used golf balls from a first recycling entity to a first acceptor. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein step (b) comprises a second reverse distribution channel for conveying used golf balls from the first acceptor to a second acceptor. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first recycling entity is a selected from the group consisting of a consumers, golf facilities, waste management facilities, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first acceptor is selected from a the group consisting of a second recycling entities, manufacturers, third-party entities, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second acceptor is selected from the group consisting of manufacturers and third-party entities. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the dynamic distribution channel comprises a lease, a buy-back or a service agreement from a manufacturer of new golf balls to golf facility. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises a sorting method selected from the group consisting of a manual methods, automated methods, methods to sort used golf balls according to manufacturer, methods to sort used golf balls according to quality, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recycling reward is selected from the group consisting of cash, coupons, discounts, rewards points, contest entries, charitable donations, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the rewards points are selected form the group consisting of virtual currencies, PayPal, mobile phone currencies, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the recycling reward is calculated under the terms of a contract. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the contract is selected from the group consisting of leases, buy-back contracts, service contracts, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (f) comprises substantially recycling each component of each used golf ball. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (f) comprises a reprocessing method selected form the group consisting of reconditioning the core, forming smaller cores from the cores of the used golf balls, repelletizing, grinding, peeling, sand-blasting, refinishing, restoring the cover, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (f) comprises reprocessing 100% thermoplastic used golf balls. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step (g) of certifying quality of reprocessed used golf balls or components thereof.