Who doesn’t love sports? There’s so much fun and enjoyment out there, from playing with friends to making your sports club look professional or even just watching your favourite team play. It’s just something that unites everyone together; it’s a lifestyle, too. Plus,, getting your kids interested just makes it all the better. But with that said, the environmental impact of sports can be significant, from the resources used to produce equipment to the energy consumed during events.
Almost anything and everything nowadays can have the potential to be harmful to the environment, but we only have one planet, Earth, and one world to live on. So it’s important for everyone to do what they can to work towards eco-friendly habits that help the world, even the sports enthusiasts out there. So, here are some handy tips that any sports lover can do to stay eco-friendly!
Look into Eco-Friendly Sports Equipment
This is probably one of the most easiest things you could do for yourself. Start by selecting sports equipment made from sustainable materials. Look for products that use recycled or renewable materials, or even consider buying second-hand gear to reduce waste. Additionally, opt for companies committed to eco-friendly production practices. Thankfully, now more than ever, it’s becoming pretty easy for this to happen. Even golf equipment is becoming eco-friendly, too.
Opt for Sustainable Clothing
So, this could be buying your workout and sports clothes/ uniform second-hand from thrift shops or even just buying directly from sustainable brands. Most major brands aren’t sustainable, or they state they’re sustainable but with little proof (such as no sustainability report on their website).
So, it’s going to be best for you to look into all of this and do some solid research. There are even other eco-friendly options, such as clothing made from organic or recycled materials (which is becoming more common). These materials are not only better for the environment but are often more comfortable and durable.
Carpool, Cycle, or Use Public Transport to Games
For some sports, it’s easier than others to use cycling or public transport, but for something like golfing, where the equipment is big, then carpooling can be an option. But in general, don’t take your car if you don’t need to. You can easily reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling with teammates or cycling to your games and practices. This not only reduces emissions but also promotes team bonding and camaraderie.
Educate and Advocate
Sports aren’t always eco-friendly, there’s the issue with litter, some people unfortunately will even riot too which will also cause a lot of damage. Some sports memorabilia is made with plastic and other harmful materials, and lawns/fields for sports are usually loaded with chemicals that kill wildlife. So, it’s important to spread awareness about the importance of eco-friendly sports practices among your fellow athletes, coaches, and fans. You’ll need to encourage your sports community to adopt sustainable measures and make environmentally conscious choices.
Playing sports and being eco-friendly are not mutually exclusive. Sure, it might take some time for long-term changes to be incorporated, but you have the power to make changes for yourself, and you have the power of persuasion to help your teammates turn eco-friendly, too.
Discover more from St. Louis Dad
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
