Thankfully there are several ways we can lessen our eco-impact, while keeping our workout routine intact.
Bring a reusable bottle
Break your disposable bottle water habit and switch to a reusable water bottle. Breaking the plastic disposable bottled water habit reduces the use of fossil fuels and toxic greenhouse gases that come from manufacturing plastic bottles. By using a reusable water bottle you are also helping reduce the number of plastic bottles that end up in landfills, sitting for years while they try unsuccessfully to decompose.
Use the great outdoors
There’s nothing greener than the great outdoors! There are so many opportunities: running, walking, hiking, rock climbing, skiing and more! The best news- the great outdoors is almost always available. What a great way to explore a new city or country.
Walk or bike to the gym
Set aside a few extra minutes each day and walk or bike to the gym. You’ll be getting extra exercise, lowering your fuel expenses and cutting down on the amount of emissions released from driving your car. Why not commit to walking or biking whenever you can?
Bring your own towel
If you belong to one of those gyms that has a towel service, think twice next time you reach for those warm, white towels. Many times the towels are washed in harsh detergents, bleaches, and disinfectants. Bring your own towel and you will be saving water and protecting yourself from potential toxins.
Recycle your shoes
Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program collects old, worn-out athletic shoes for recycling, transforming them into Nike Grind, a material used in creating athletic and playground surfaces as well as select Nike products. They accept all brands of worn-out athletic shoes – ones that would otherwise go to a landfill – and turn them into something new, like tracks and playgrounds. You can either drop off your shoes or mail them into a facility.
How do you green your workout?
[Photo used under Creative Commons from Larry Page/Flickr]
