Sports are a big part of life, whether you enjoy dribbling basketballs or rowing boats. These activities encourage physical activity and social interaction, but could negatively impact the environment. In this article, we’ll discuss ways your sports equipment could impact the planet, along with a guide to gear and good, eco-friendly alternatives.

How Does Sports Equipment Harm the Planet?

A baseball bat or a yoga mat might not sound like much, however, their impact adds up when considering mass production. Here’s how your sports equipment impacts the planet: 

Plastic Consumption

Resource consumption in sports equipment starts with plastic. It’s hard to avoid this material, considering you see it in shoes, balls, helmets and bags. Don’t forget the food and beverages served at the concession stands, considering their significant waste. One professional sports event could account for 750,000 used plastic bottles.     

Waste Buildup

When an item reaches its end of life, it heads to the landfill — but not all waste makes it there. Waste, including sporting equipment, can build up in the environment. Plastic, for example, takes up to 500 years to decompose and can threaten many habitats. Sporting equipment can contribute to this problem, even with items intended for long-term use.

Harmful Emissions 

Emissions are another critical factor you may overlook when buying sports equipment. When you buy gear, zoom out and consider the entire manufacturing process. The company producing your clothing, or tennis rackets, could use fossil fuels and raw materials during production and transportation. This means emissions could be a significant issue.  

Discarded Equipment

Imagine your child plays baseball each spring to enjoy the sport and warm weather. Before each season starts, you must buy their jersey, pants and other new equipment, if they’ve outgrown it. What happens to the gear from previous seasons? While you can recycle some stuff, others cannot be reused. Some people throw away the equipment, thus increasing their carbon footprint. 

High Energy Usage

Sports equipment also considers the athletic venues where you practice and play games. While some fields use grass and dirt, other facilities require heavy resource consumption. For instance, NHL rinks require over 10,000 gallons of water, because of the large surface area, and NFL stadiums must have large lights to illuminate the field during night games. 

What Alternatives Should You Consider? 

While the environmental impact is considerable, there are sporting equipment alternatives to lower your carbon footprint. Here are 5 eco-friendly alternatives to conventional sports equipment: 

1. Lightweight Paddles 

Pickleball has taken the world by storm in recent years. If you pick up this hobby, you need a paddle, a ball and friends to play with at your local court. Pickleball paddles usually weigh up to 8.5 ounces, so find lightweight paddles that consume fewer resources. Some gear uses flax fiber, bamboo and other more sustainable materials.  

2. Cork Yoga Mats

Yoga combines exercise and meditation for a revolutionary experience. That said, you might not realize many yoga mats contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other harmful materials. Instead, use a cork mat because of its flexibility and grip for your morning sessions. You also benefit from its ability to wick moisture and repel dust. 

3. Sustainable Shoes

Shoes are integral to sports equipment, due to their practicality and style. Your footwear defines your swagger, though you should be aware of the plastic consumption. Instead, consider minimalist shoes from companies using sustainable materials. Eco-conscious footwear could include hemp, plant starch or ethically sourced leather. 

4. Recycled Golf Balls

Golf has become more popular nationwide, with experts saying about 25.6 million people participating in 2022. The increasing numbers mean a higher demand for golf balls made from synthetic rubber, plastic and other materials. Instead, your golfing buddies should bring recycled balls to reduce your consumption of virgin resources. 

5. Reusable Water Bottles

Regardless of the sport, it’s wise to hydrate and stay focused on the game. Drinking water, or a sports beverage, could mean bringing a plastic bottle. However, the more eco-friendly option is to get a reusable container. Invest in a quality bottle containing recycled materials and quality metals to last a long time, thus reducing the need to consume more goods. 

Winning the Game by Protecting the Environment

Sports encourage you to get out of the house and enjoy time with friends. They also bring people together through professional sports games and massive crowds. However, it’s hard to ignore the environmental impact of fun games. Prioritize recycled materials and sustainable products when preparing for your next sporting event or season.