Sustainability guide: 7 Ways To Turn Your Gym More Eco-friendly
A brand’s green efforts can today be a dealbreaker for consumers, when choosing between two similar products or services. In fact, nine in 10 Australian consumers prefer to buy ethically and sustainably produced products.
Gyms are often seen as the great environmental offender, but there are several easy and cost-effective ways to make your gym environmentally friendly. And it doesn’t cost a fortune, nor require you to overhaul your entire business model!
In the long-run, it can not only save you money by reducing energy bills. It also gives you a competitive edge as it enables you to connect with new, socially conscious members. In other words, the green choices you make today are better for your business, employees, patrons and the planet, too.
We’ve listed 7 ways to turn your gym more eco-friendly below, so you can get started right away!
1) Introduce Recycling
Perhaps a bit of a no-brainer, but if you haven’t rolled it out already, it's a necessary step towards transforming your fitness facility. Set up recycling bins for plastic, paper, cans and glass bottles to promote sustainable waste management among your members.
2) Choose Eco-Friendly Gym Supplies
From yoga mats, to resistance bands, massage rollers and more, you can opt for PVC-free alternatives made from recycled and/or sustainable materials.
And choose an environmentally preferred antibacterial cleaning solution, such as Need Wipes Antibacterial Bamboo Wipes, to ensure a hygienic and healthy facility free from germs. As they are 100% plant-based, they are biodegradable and compostable as well, which brings us to the next point.
3) Reduce single-use plastic
Tonnes of plastic waste end up in landfills daily, polluting our waterways, beaches and oceans, and we all have to do our bit to put a stop to it. One easy way to make your gym more sustainable is to switch from conventional antibacterial wipes containing plastic to our antibacterial bamboo wipes instead.
Additionally, scrap selling plastic water bottles and provide free filtered water instead. You can encourage your members to bring their own refillable water bottles—or, sell your own branded bottles instead.
4) Optimize water use
And while we are on the topic of water: Did you know that you can save up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute at your gym? Get low-flow shower heads, taps and toilets installed in your locker rooms to start reducing your water waste.
5) Be more energy-efficient
There are a number of steps you can take to be more energy-savvy. Think about installing motion sensors for lights throughout your space, and consider changing to LED lightbulbs—it can can save up to 30% off conventional lighting.
You could also look into your electricity-powered machines and equipment, and consider exchanging them for more sustainable alternatives (such as cycles and climbers that only require human power.)
Keep a track of your air conditioning and program your thermostat. And if solar panels are a viable option for you, what are you waiting for? Go for it!
6) Keep it local
Choose organic and locally sourced products (be it juices or energy bars), and help to support local businesses, with the added benefit of being environmentally conscious.
7) Team up with sustainable brands
In the same vein, look around you to team up with brands that promote sustainable practices. This can be anything from your massage rollers, to yoga mats, protein shakes and workout gear.
And as you are already here, make the switch from plastic antibacterial wipes to Need Wipes Antibacterial Bamboo Wipes today!
Need Wipes protects everyone – including the planet.