When choosing your gear, you can pay attention to the following 5 factors. Choose wisely to reduce your impact and help encourage the industry to produce more sustainable athletic products:
1. Re-evaluate Whether You Really Need It: Before you buy, reconsider whether you really need the new product. Better than buying green, is not buying at all. Can you refurbish or get a few more uses out of your current gear? Do you really need that new cassette that's 5 grams lighter
2. Choose Natural Materials: Wool and organic cotton are great choices and come with a smaller environmental footprint than petroleum based products, particularly if they are grown and made in the US. Other materials to consider are hemp, bamboo, natural rubber or limestone for wetsuits (instead of neoprene). For bike lubes, consider bio-based oils, and use equipment cleaners that are made of natural ingredients and fully biodegradable.
3. Choose Local Materials: if possible, buy products that are made in the USA, preferably within your region. This supports the companies in your community for a stronger local economy, and it reduces shipping needs for a smaller product environmental footprint.
4. Buy Recycled: Lots of new recycled materials are now available, recycled polyester made from soda bottles, recycled rubber yoga mats, recycled material running shoes, or recycled biketube bags and bike accesories. Lots of new options exist - take some time to find the right product!
5. Buy Used: More stores are popping up that specialize in used equipment. Check them first to try and reuse a product before you buy new. And, make sure you drop off your old gear at these stores when you buy new. They may serve a good new use for another athlete, or the stores may participate in gear donation programs that send used equipment to people in need.