It’s always a good idea to start implementing small positive changes in the way we do things at home with our waste. One start or change could be how you manage your waste at home, which many people overlook.

It may seem like a lot of work but it becomes such an easy habit after you get used to it, and it is a great way to start enforcing positive waste changes at home. Do you think you should separate and clean your waste at home? Watch the video below to know more…

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Whilst there is still drastic amounts of work that needs to be done, it is no secret that more and more industries are beginning to wake up to the climate crisis and take a look at how their practices may be contributing to it.

One such industry that has developed dramatically over the past few years is the trainer or fitness industry. It has become very easy to find trainers that are made using a sustainable form of manufacture, and that have been made using recycled/recyclable materials.

This is important because shoe manufacturing is one of the most wasteful clothing processes that exist in the modern age. It is thought that over 300 million pairs of trainers are thrown out every year and the majority of these are made from materials that are famously damaging to the environment, such as nylon, synthetic rubber, and plastic. All of these materials have to be made using crude oil that is environmentally damaging to harvest.

Not only are the materials used very damaging, but the manufacturing process is too. It is extremely energy-intensive with injection moulding, foaming, heating, and binding with chemical solvents.

As was found by an MIT-led life-cycle assessment, each pair of traditional trainers accounts for 30 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of keeping a light on for a week straight or burning a gallon and a half of petroleum.

It’s this bad name that has led to the rapid increase in shoe brands that base their entire image on environmentalism. There are ways to make shoes without using as much energy as has been used in the past, and there are ways to make sure that when the consumer is finished with the shoe, it doesn’t just go to a landfill.

Brands have emerged over the past year or so that not only make sure the product itself is sustainable, but also channel profits into humanitarian interests such as London based trainer brand, Good News. In 2020 they ran a scheme that involved donating shoes to migrants and refugees arriving in Italy.

There are many examples of trainer brands who are working in this way now, but the thing they all have in common is that they have to charge more for their product than the likes of Nike or Adidas. It is very rare to find a truly sustainable and guilt-free pair of trainers for under £100, as it simply costs more to produce them in this way.

Many retail experts now believe that younger people are willing to pay more money for an eco-friendly product rather than one they know has been/will be harmful to the planet. That is why the business model of these more sustainable companies is succeeding.

Major corporations such as Nike and Adidas are of course not blind to these changing times, they do after all have the human and financial resources to do anything they choose. Both companies have begun releasing some trainers made with recycled materials such as harvested ocean plastic, which is a step in the right direction. Adidas teamed up with Parley to create a trainer made from marine plastic waste and illegal deep-sea gillnets that are often used for over-fishing practices.

In 2018, Nike was recognized by the Textile Exchange as the brand using the most recycled polyester in the industry for the sixth year in a row, among other achievements. It has been argued by Tansy Hoskins, author of a book called Foot Work: What Your Shoes Are Doing To The World, though, that these awards are not in line with their scale of production. Nike using more recycled polyester than anyone else can still mean that 90% of the shoes they produce are not made using recyclable materials at all.

Many large companies within certain industries are adept at perpetuating an environmentally responsible public image without actually making many drastic changes to their way of manufacturing or conducting business. The suggestion that only a small percentage of Nike and Adidas’ production has been made sustainable or recyclable implies that they are doing just that, but they are relying on the popularity of their brand.

If the trend of younger consumers starting to favour an environmentally sustainable product continues and grows, there could come a point where major companies have their hands forced and have no choice but to pitch towards the same business model going forward.

Author bio

Euan Burns is a features editor at Origym Centre of Excellence, which provides high-quality personal training courses and packages.

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 1. Invest in sustainable workout clothing 

With sustainable clothing on the rise, gym gear is no exception. Popular materials, such as nylon and polyester, may look great but they are not as biodegradable or recyclable as cotton or organic hemp. They also require a great deal of energy to manufacture, lowering their eco-friendly status and carbon efficiency. A number of brands also design workout clothing and shoes made from repurposed ocean plastic, eucalyptus pulp, bamboo, corn, and even algae form. By researching conscious companies in your local area, you can not only look good but do good too. 

2. Switch to plant-based protein powder 

The plant-based protein powder market has surged in popularity in recent years. With more options to choose from than ever before, gym-goers are spoilt for choice. Some of the most common plant-based protein-based offerings include oats, nuts, beans, tofu, and butter.

One of the latest plant-based powders to take the industry by storm, however, is that of pea protein. Manufactured by extracting protein from peas, it is a hypoallergenic alternative to standard plant-based protein powders and can boost your protein as well as your iron levels when consumed on a regular basis. As well as enhancing your health and wellness, however, a number of popular brands, such as ioPea, have been designed with environmental sustainability in mind. 

3. Go plogging 

Emanating from Sweden, plogging is the latest fitness craze to take the world by storm. Derived from the Swedish words for pick up (plocka upp) and jog (jogga), it is the name given to the act of jogging whilst picking up litter. Although still a relatively modern concept, by incorporating bending, squatting, and stretching into your daily run, you can burn up to 50 more calories per hour plogging as opposed to regular jogging.

You can also make a difference to your local neighbourhood by ridding it of litter or debris with a bin bag or designated litter picker. This can ensure your surroundings are a happier, healthier place to live for you as well as those around you. 

4. Walk or cycle to the gym 

If you are within walking distance of your local gym or fitness center, you should consider walking or cycling as opposed to driving, or even using an electric skateboard. Not only is this a great extension of your existing exercise routine but can have a positive impact on the environment too. This can limit your contribution to air pollution and save you a considerable amount of money in the long run.

Commonly overlooked by fitness fanatics, walking is a great form of exercise that can be seamlessly incorporated into your daily routine. A 30-minute walk around the block during your lunch break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator is all it takes to boost your daily step count and elevate your mood. Commuting short distances on foot as opposed to by car can also protect biodiversity by limiting noise, air pollution, and emissions. 

5. Recycle old workout clothing and equipment 

Recycling is one of the quickest and easiest ways to go green. If you have outgrown your existing workout clothing or are just looking to update your wardrobe, you may be able to donate old items of clothing to local charities or organizations. Nike, for example, supposedly recycles running shoes that customers have donated and transforms them into playground materials.

Purchasing used workout clothing and equipment can be another great way to lower your carbon footprint and save a considerable amount of money in the long run. If your leggings have seen better days, however, drop them off at your local recycling point or clothing bank. You may believe they are destined for the bin, but an avid gym-goer might jump at the chance of owning the very pair you no longer need. 

6. Take up yoga

As well as improving your health and wellness, yoga can have a positive impact on the environment too. Yoga mats are one of the most commonly discarded fitness accessories. Those made from PVC plastic contain a number of harmful chemicals and toxins that can seep into the environment over time. By investing in a non-slip natural yoga mat, made from materials such as natural tree rubber or cork, you can relax knowing your favourite fitness accessory will gradually biodegrade over time and is unlikely to contribute towards the ever-increasing threat of global warming. Most natural yoga mats won’t break the bank either with the vast majority cheaper than plastic alternatives. 

7. Eat green 

When it comes to leading a fit and healthy lifestyle, exercise is only half of the equation. It may be tempting to refuel after a heavy gym session by indulging in simple carbs, fat, and sugar, but this is unlikely to do any good to your body or the environment. Sustainable options, including fruits and vegetables, will replenish your mind and body and provide you with the nutrients you need to enter recovery mode.

If you are looking to up your protein intake, a plant-based protein powder, such as pea or hemp protein, can be incorporated into a refreshing morning smoothie or nutrient-boosting post-workout drink. Also try to buy from plastic packaging free shops to reduce your waste even further.

When it comes to your fitness routine, getting a sweat on shouldn’t cost the planet. There are a number of steps you can take to workout whilst protecting the environment so you can look good and feel even better. If you don’t know where to start, try investing in sustainable workout clothing, switching to a plant-based protein powder, going plogging, walking or cycling to the gym, recycling old workout clothing and equipment, taking up yoga, and eating green. 

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For me, becoming more and more eco conscious and friendly, and reducing my waste allowed me to also become much more of a minimalist. I like the minimalist approach because it shows you how a lot of the stuff we have/want, is very unnecessary and not useful and we clearly do not need a lot of it.

One thing to note, if you are trying to follow a more eco friendly life or a more minimalist approach to life, it is not about stopping everything entirely, or making a massive change overnight, unless you really want to. All of these things were a gradual change for me and over time it all became more and more of a habit, and yes, ideally it is the plan to get to zero waste, but it is difficult in this day and age. So don’t get caught up with that, just focus on making a change as small as it may seem, it all adds up and over time does get bigger.

On that note, in this video I show 6 Simple Waste Free Tips that you can try on your quest for a more Zero Waste Lifestyle

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