Go Green: Recycled and Eco Friendly Disc Golf Discs

Environmentally Friendly Disc golf LogoToday’s disc golf discs come in a variety of colors, shapes and materials, and most are made with some kind of plastic. Synthetic plastic has been around for over a century and has shaped the way we live. However, this amazing invention does come with some baggage. First, most plastic is made from crude oil or other non-renewable resources. And second, it does not easily break down, meaning it will be around for a long, long time.

In this blog we will look at the environmental aspects of disc golf discs and discuss ways to minimize the impact. We’ll look at what some manufacturers are doing to reuse and recycle plastic discs. Plus we will talk about other ways that we can be environmentally conscious as we participate in the sport of disc golf.

Long Live Plastic

If you grabbed your go-to driver and buried it in your backyard, your great-great-great grandchild would be able to dig it up and it would still be mostly intact. It might be more pitted and have a rougher feel, but it won’t have broken down much in that time span. That is just the nature of plastic. If you throw away an old disc, you essentially are burying it, and it will be around for hundreds of years. What other option do you have?

Plastic Blends

Most discs are made with a blend of plastic types. While this makes them feel awesome in our hand, it becomes problematic if we want to recycle the disc. Products made from a single plastic type come with a recycle logo and include a number that tells you which type of plastic types that product is made from. They can easily be recycled. Multi-type plastics don’t have that luxury. But there are still options for recycling.

Manufacturer Response

Manufacturers saw a couple possible solution to recycling their blemished plastic. First, they sold discs as factory seconds at a discount from their regularly priced discs. Some discs only have minor blemishes but still have the flight characteristics of a new discs. Those discs could be sold for less that retail, keeping the plastic on the market without adding any additional processing.

If discs were in worse shape than factory seconds and not resalable to the public, manufacturers still have an option to use them instead of tossing them in a landfill. They could shred the plastic and use it to make new discs. Since they formulated the plastic, they would know its properties and know what other plastics it would be compatible with. Many different brands offer discs with pre-consumer recycled plastic.

Brands With Eco Friendly Plastics

Recycled Plastic Emblem

Innova has its Echo Star line which is made of at least 50% recycled materials.

Dynamic Discs offers discs in recycled plastics such as BioFuzion, BioGold, and Revive.

Latitude 64 reuses their discs in their BioGold and Recycled plastics.

Westside has Revive plastic, and MVP has R2, both of which use blemished plastic to create new discs.

Doomsday Discs has it’s Biohazard plastic which is partially made from recycled material.

The above plastic types are good examples of using existing plastic to make a new disc. Other brands use more eco-friendly plastics to begin with to produce a disc that doesn’t use as much non-renewable resources.

Discs Made from “Environmentally Friendly” Materials

Euro Disc is a German brand that makes ultimate and discs golf discs. They are demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Embracing eco-friendly practices, Eurodisc produces its range of frisbee discs, including Ultimate, Kids, and Mini models, from 100% bio-based organic plastic, derived from renewable resources. This approach ensures that the discs are sustainable and can be recycled through normal household waste systems.

AGL has its hemp blend, which used the amazing renewable resource of hemp to produce some of their discs.

Gateway has its Organic plastic, which uses recycled rubber and a corn-based bio-polymer to produce an amazing feeling plastic. They also off Hemp blend, which combines recycled rubber and hemp. Hemp is a renewable, natural, versatile plant that can be made into many different products.

Not Recyclable

Although the aforementioned efforts by manufactures help reduce the amount of natural resources used when making the discs we love, most of today’s discs have one issue in common: Their multi-plastic ingredients make them mostly non-recyclable.  That is the environmental cost of making disc golf discs with the current plastic choices. However, one company is trying to change that cost.

Trash Panda Disc Golf

Trash Panda Racoon Logo

I was able to visit with and interview Jesse from Trash Panda Disc Golf several years ago in Colorado. At the time, Jesse had an ambitious goal to make disc golf sustainable. He wanted to make discs out of recycled plastic, and make them recyclable, too. How has he done since then? I reached out to Jesse for an update! Here is what he said:

“Since we chatted last in my garage, we’ve released two molds made from 100% recycled plastic – the Inner Core and the Dune. With the success of those two molds, we’ve diverted 15,000 lbs of plastic from landfills and continue to exceed even our own expectations of what is possible.

“In 2023 we proudly became the first disc golf company to ever achieve B Corp certification – which is a month-long assessment that ensures companies meet the highest ethical and environmental standards.”

In addition to achieving his goal of producing a recyclable disc out of recycled plastic, Jesse and the crew at Trash Panda have set up a great program for recycling discs. Disc golfers can send in their unwanted/damaged/broken discs in exchange for a discount at Trash Panda. Those discs will then be either ground up am made into discs or other plastic products, or they will be donated to youth programs to grow the sport. Either way, the life of the plastic will be extended and will be kept out of the landfill. As of this writing, they have received over 11,500 discs and turned them into discs, minis, and Disc Dots.

What Can You Do?

Plastic Waste needing to be recycled

 

What you can do to be environmentally conscious?

Buy environmentally friendly plastics – Make an effort to look see what recycled options are available. Many of the recycled plastics have an amazing feel and are still durable. By voting with our wallets, maybe was can get more options in ‘green’ plastics.

Buy used – Premium discs have a long life and we can usually get a used disc much cheaper than new. As an added benefit, used discs are sometimes already broken in. That will give us a seasoned disc immediately, instead of having to play with it for a long time.

Donate your discs – If you can trade discs with other disc golfers, or sell them to a retailer, we can end up with discs that we like or want to throw without the cost of buying new. If those options aren’t available, check out Trash Panda’s recycle program and give your old discs a new home.

There may be many aspects of our life where it is difficult or impossible to make a difference for the planet. Disc golf is not one of those things. Our sport comes with an environmental cost, but the steps we’ve outlined will help make disc golf more sustainable into the future. It always feels good to help with the environment, and if we can be helping while playing disc golf, that is a win-win for everyone.

How to Start a Disc Golf League

 

Disc golf has been gaining popularity for a while now, and starting and running a successful disc golf league can be a great way to bring the community together and promote the sport. In this blog, we will discuss the steps you can take to start and run a successful disc golf league, including advertising, costs, locations, and getting the word out.

Step 1: Determine the Format of the League

The first step in starting a successful disc golf league is to determine the format of the league. Will it be singles, doubles, or a mix of both? Maybe a women-only league? How many rounds will be played, and how many courses will be used? Will there be a handicap system in place? You could put the choices up for vote, or just decide yourself.

Another format question to consider is what divisions you will offer. Since you’ll have players with different skill levels, you’ll want to think about having different divisions so people can be competitive. Consider if divisions for women or juniors will need to be included.

Step 2: Choose a Location

Once you have determined the format of the league, the next step is to choose a location. Look for a course that is easily accessible and has enough space for the number of players you expect to participate. You may also want to consider factors such as parking availability, restrooms, and concessions.

One other thing to think about with the location is how busy the course might be at the time you want to run your league. If you aren’t familiar with the course, either visit it at the day and time you want to run your league, or ask around to find some locals who know the course and can tell you when the course gets busy.

Step 3: Determine the Costs

Running a disc golf league does come with costs, so it is important to determine these upfront. Some costs to consider include league fees, course fees, and prizes. Selling bag tags is a good way to raise money for the league. Another fundraiser option is to run a trophy-only tournament where money is collected from registration fees, but only trophies are given out. Keeping a dollar or two from league registration on a weekly basis is another option to raise funds.

Determining the cost to play at the league is something to figure out in advance. We charge $5, which is all given out to division winners. Our club is located in a city with a University, so we have many students who play in our leagues. Because of that, I started offering a free division. I didn’t want the cost to prevent someone from playing. You don’t win anything in that division, but you can still participate with the club.

Step 4: Advertise the League

Once you have determined the format, location, and costs of the league, it’s time to start advertising. Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the word out about the league. You can also create flyers and posters to distribute at local disc golf shops and courses.

Step 5: Communicate with Players

As players sign up for the league, it is important to communicate with them regularly. This can be done through email, social media, or a dedicated website. Let players know when and where the league will be held, what they need to bring, and any special rules or guidelines. Keeping people informed about upcoming events is a great tool for keeping people engaged in disc golf.

 

 

Step 6: Run the League

Once the league is up and running, it is important to manage it effectively. This includes keeping track of scores, enforcing rules, and communicating with players regularly. Consider using a dedicated league management software or app to make this process easier. We’ve started using Udisc for our league and it makes the process of handling scores a lot smoother.

I prefer to use a spreadsheet on a laptop that I can take to league. I enter the names, divisions, and bag tag numbers as people sign in. Then after league I can enter the scores and sort to determine winners and give out bag tags. I also have a printed sheet of paper for people to use to sign in at the beginning.

One necessary part of league is to make sure everyone knows the rules for the course. If the rules aren’t on the tee signs or somewhere on the course, have a printed copy available to hand out.

Step 7: Offer Prizes, Awards, and Additional Chances to Win

Offering prizes and awards can be a great way to keep players motivated and engaged in the league. I encourage the sale of bag tags by offering prizes for bag tag holders in the form of Closest to the Pin (CTP) competitions on a couple holes. Players can choose to pay for additional CTPs to participate in other competitions. Occasionally I’ll use club money to buy a gift card to a local restaurant and have a CTP for the card. Inexpensive prizes like candy bars can be given out for ‘awards’ like the person with the OB’s or Bogeys or Birdies.

Optional Ace Pots are a fun addition to a league. Our Ace Pot is $1 to enter, and our Super Ace Pot costs $5 to enter. If no one gets an ace that day, the ace pots rolls over to the next week and continues to grow. (Our Super Ace Pot is currently sitting at around $1,300!)

Starting and running a successful disc golf league takes time and effort, but it can be a great way to promote the sport and bring the community together. By following these steps and staying organized and communicative, you can create a fun and engaging league that players will want to come back to week after week.

 

Focus Friday – The I-One on Discount

FOCUS FRIDAY – The I-One

Welcome back to another Focus Friday, where we look at a certain mold or brand, and give you a discount so you can try it out for yourself. This weekend we are focusing on a strange, less popular disc that may become something you come to love… The Cheengz I One

The I-One was the first disc golf entry for the Cheengz brand. It is an all-purpose mid-range disc. It has a straight, predictable flight, great for narrow fairways, and is easy to handle for players at all levels. With a slightly larger diameter, it feels natural to players transitioning from Ultimate and other disc sports to disc golf.

The I-One also has a subtle ripple texture on the top and bottom of the flight plate for enhanced grip. It is also a great disc to throw for touch shorts or put through tiny gaps in a straight line to finish next to the pin on any obstructed approaches.

 

DISCOUNT -> This weekend, you can get a I-One for 30% off when you use this discount code – FOCUSIONE

This deal will end Monday night, so get yourself this mold while you can!
Check out this page to see all the items that are on sale this week.

New Disc Releases

NEW DISCS: June 26 – July 2

Here is a breakdown of some of the latest molds that were released and restocked last week:

Finish Line Era

  The Finish Line Era is the first mold from this USA-based company. Owned by Drew Gibson and sold by Infinite Discs, this company is dedicated to making quality discs. The second run of the Era was released last week, and there are still a few available, so get yourself one HERE 

The Era is designed to be the all-purpose control driver for players of all skill levels.

With a flat top and neutral flight path, the Era works well for both backhand and forehand throws. It is understable enough to work for newer players but has enough stability that it can handle the power of Drew Gibson.

Clash Discs Soda & Butter

Two new Clash discs were released last week… the Soda and the Butter. Clash Discs has surprised many with its premium plastics and excellent discs. Learn about these two new molds below, and try a SODA or BUTTER today.

The Soda is an understable fairway driver designed for distance and shot shaping, making this a great mold for players of all skill levels. Its flight allows for a large variety of throws such as hyzer-flips and anhyzer lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Butter is a straight flying putter with a minimal fade. It features a beadless and round profile, giving you a comfortable grip. This makes for a great putter that will fly straight, hyzer, or anhyzer; shaping the shot to whatever you need it to be.

Alfa Discs Cosmic

The Cosmic is the second disc produced by the Norway based company, Alfa Discs. Alfa Discs only began in 2021, but is already making some great molds. Their first mold is a straight flying midrane, the APOLLO. They are following that up with this newest fairway mold, the COSMIC.

The Cosmic is a dependable fairway driver with high glide, providing a nice consistent flight capable of a variety of flights. It is capable of holding a variety of lines from hyzer to anhyzer, making it the highly capable mold for shot shaping, or to get controllable distance.

EV-7 Telos

 

This company focuses solely on making quality putters for the average or professional disc golfer. They had 3 molds before releasing this newest one, the TELOS. Each putter comes in a premium, grippy putter blend for maximum catch and accuracy.

The EV-7 Telos is a fantastic putter that fits right in between the Penrose and the Phi in terms of stability. This disc has the flat top like the Penrose, but the beadless bottom like the Phi. This is an excellent stability for an all purpose disc golf putter and will help you find the green and make more putts.

 

Discmania Signature C-Line P2

Making yet another appearance, the Discmania Sky God IV is on the market, featured on the Simon Lizotte Signature C-Line P2. The P2 is known for its tremendous putting accuracy, but don’t underestimate its ability to be a great approach or off the tee putter.

The P2 is a straight flying, but slightly overstable putter made by Discmania. This disc is stable enough that it can handle headwind throws and fairly long approach shots. This putter was designed specifically for pro players, but can be useful for disc golfers of all skill levels. There are many people who rely on this putter to help them eliminate strokes from their game.

Prodigy A5

The A5 is an approach disc in the famous 400 Prodigy plastic. This plastic is grippy and stiff while also being bendable to shape those perfect shots. You won’t be disappointed when purchasing one of these discs, get yourself an A5 today.

 

The A5 is a straight-to-understable approach disc for touchy approach shots that need a lot of precision under low power.

 

Thoughtspace Temple

TSA is always on brand when it comes to their stamp designs. But their discs are also on brand for being buttery and dependable. This newest mold, the Temple, comes in Nerve plastic which is a stiff, grippy plastic designed for accuracy. The TEMPLE is one of the first approach molds that TSA has released and is bound to get good reviews.

The Temple is an overstable approach designed to handle power and windy conditions. This disc works excellent as a driver and a utility disc. The Temple is a disc that you can trust to hold the line before a solid end-fade to the target.

Lone Star – 3 New Molds

Lone Star is the underdog when it comes to quality molds. Most all their discs have good reviews, and they are gaining in popularity. Last week, they released three new molds: The CHUPACABRA, the DOME, and the BULL SNAKE.

The Chupacabra is an overstable fairway driver that will work well in any condition. This features a hard fading hook at the end of the flight, providing an excellent utility mold that will always be trusted to come out of that anhyzer angle or to always fade.

 

 

 

The Dome, named after the iconic “Astrodome” is an understable fairway driver. This is a good driver for a beginner, helping them achieve greater distance than before. For more advanced players, it is a good choice for a go to understable fairway driver.

 

 

 

The Bull Snake is an overstable putt & approach mold. It exhibits a longer wing, more broad shoulder, and a microbead. This will prove itself a trustworthy mold despite weather conditions.