Studying at a US university (big thank you to all my scholarship-providers 😉 ) comes with a lot of luxury, such as having a free yearly pass to the gym. However, obtaining a gym can be highly intensive regarding energy and water consumption. In my latest article I have summarized what can be done to reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying your free time and caring about your body and mind.
If you are a fitness enthusiast as I am, please find here the most important actionable items so that you can become a Changemaker – not only for your own health but additionally for the wellbeing of our planet.
- Bring your own towel: This will reduce the need for the gym to wash and provide towels, which can save water and energy.
- Choose gyms that adhere to sustainable standards: Look for gyms that use eco-friendly cleaning products (e.g. free from animal testing), have energy-efficient equipment, and use renewable energy sources.
- Ask about the supply chain: Inquire about where the gym’s towels, clothing, and other textiles are sourced from. Encourage the gym to choose partners that use sustainable and ethical practices.
- Advocate for microplastic-free products: Encourage the gym to use cleaning and hygiene products that are free from microplastics, which can harm the environment and marine life.
- Support social sustainability: Encourage the gym to have a diverse workforce, provide employee training and education, and have a feedback system. Also, advocate for accessibility in the gym space for people with disabilities.
- Be mindful of energy usage: Encourage the gym to use energy-efficient equipment and adjust the temperature to reduce energy usage. Do they produce their own renewable energy for instance by having solar panels or at least get their energy from a renewable energy provider?
- Seek transparency: Ask questions to find out if the gym is transparent about its sustainable practices, measures and celebrates its accomplishments and tells the truth about their shortcomings and plans how to become more sustainable friendly in the future.
I hope these insights and my article will help you to become more conscious about how doing sports relates to sustainable practices. Do not hesitate to reach out in case you have any questions via diringerlilith@gmail.com