Running is an inherently environmentally friendly endeavor, given that the only requirements are a pair of running shoes and the motivation to get out the door. Despite already being “green,” there are numerous ways that runners can further reduce their carbon footprints. Listed below are tips for greening your run.
Recycle
Recycling is obviously a top priority for environmentally conscious
consumers everywhere. Plastic water
bottles, energy bar wrappers, and shoe boxes should all be properly recycled,
if possible. However, did you know that
running shoes are recyclable, too? Most
local running stores offer shoe recycling receptacles, and some will even
provide a discount for people who bring in worn out running shoes.
Buy Local
One of the most important tenets of being “green” is shopping locally. Not only does purchasing from local vendors
keep money within your community, but it also reduces the energy required to
ship items cross country. If possible,
look for items that are made locally, as well.
DIY
Many running-related items are made from materials that are difficult to
recycle or undergo energy intensive processes during manufacturing. For instance, a frozen water bottle can double
as a foam roller, while a used golf ball works wonders for relieving muscle
tightness. Copy-cat recipes exist online
for many sports nutrition products, as well.
Besides being environmentally friendly, making your own products helps
save money, too!
Shop in Bulk
When buying staple items, such as nutrition, socks, running shoes, sports
bras, or other gear you are sure to use multiple times, consider buying the
items in bulk. In some instances, bulk
purchases can help you save money (i.e. powdered sports drink mix vs. bottles
of sports drink), but they also drive down the amount of energy spent on
shipping and transportation. Planning
your bulk shopping trips around changes in seasons (such as in the spring and
fall) is ideal, since most stores will have inventory-clearing sales during
these times.
Donate
Before throwing away running clothes that you no longer wear, consider
donating them to someone who can use them.
Even if the thought of another person wearing your sweaty running
clothes is not appealing, bear in mind that many running clubs exist for
homeless people who are seeking to learn a valuable life skill that ultimately
can help them get back on their feet.
Organizations such as these often appreciate donations ranging from
gently worn running shoes and socks to running clothes of all kinds.
Race Local
Like shopping locally, racing locally has a number of environmentally friendly advantages. For instance, local races put resources back into the community, especially if a charitable component is involved. Less travel is involved, which in turn uses less energy. When traveling to a local race, look into ride share options or public transportation. Besides cutting down on fuel emissions, car pooling can be a fun way to meet new people. Plus, sharing post-race stories with others is far more fun than driving home alone.
In addition to all of our running inspired articles we also have an excellent eBook (PDF) format for download available. Here is the link to our running eBook that is chock full of helpful running information for beginners. Enjoy!