With a rapid change in innovations, many industries have turned to new ways and methods of using safer materials and products for the environment. Sustainability is being accepted by many big companies each day and who knows what will be improved in the years coming when it comes to saving our planet and our environments to improve our lives.
However, we are all involved in this process and we can somehow help and give our contributions each day by small actions. To gain higher scores in the eyes of the customers, companies take as much as responsibility when it is about saving the environment and using eco-friendly materials and products.
Lately, the textile and most importantly sports industry have become very popular producing less polluting products for the planet, using more natural materials. Sustainability in sports has also increased with the recycling of reused materials in order to have less waste and more importantly less costs for the making.
There are many biodegradable products now available on the market.
But how do we know for sure that those materials are really safe to use and are they really good for the environment and our living in general?
It is already known that most sports goods, mostly sports equipment and footwear are produced by a combination of various materials, including animal skin- leather. We all know that sustainability does not allow using animal-based products, by killing thousands of them, in order, many quality products are made. There are solutions of saving animals’ lives, and use alternatives for leather.
Vegan leather is one of them. Although it can be made out of natural plants, most of the goods are using synthetic leather, known as faux leather. Faux, vegan leather is made out of two types of polymers. One is PU (polyurethane), and another one is known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Many types of vegan leather can be eco-friendly, especially those made with only natural fibers and materials, but leather made of plastic polymers are not appearing as sustainable products. So it is important to choose eco-friendlier products when buying sports goods.
If we put on the scale, animal-based products and those made with polymers, like PVC are not very different. Both of them are not safe to use and the process of making them can pollute the environment more than others, thus you should keep an eye on more natural products.
How to Choose Eco-friendly Sporting Products?
One of the most used products in every sport is sports balls. They were initially produced out of genuine leather which is more often replaced with vegan leather.
Basketballs are made of more elements combined, including vegan leather. Since this sport requires a long duration and high pressure of the ball, so you either choose a plant leather product, or you can recycle the reused product in exchange for a brand new one.
Recycling is also important when the product contains man-made materials like rubber.
Basketballs can be found in different sizes, but 29.5 Basketball, also known as size 7, seems to be the most popular one among male players above the age of 13.
Supporting sustainability matters when also using and purchasing sports equipment especially in baseball. Many of its products use leather in the making, so choosing more eco-friendly alternatives is what you need to do, if you want to contribute to a safer environment.
Eco-friendly soccer balls are mostly produced of plant-based materials, that can not make harm to the planet. Also, recycling soccer balls are very often an activity. Many soccer players choose Size 5 Soccer Ball since it’s best for adults and professionals.
Volleyballs, footballs, and other sports balls also have more sustainable replacements that provide the same texture to the touch and the same effect when using for the game.
Other than these mentioned sports products, you can find plenty of eco-friendly sportswear and footwear. Some footwear also contains leather, so sports brands have come up with new recycled models that will make a good deed for everyone.
If you have any sneakers you can no longer wear, bring them back to the store or the sports factory and you will give your eco contribution.
All those Eco-friendly Sporting Goods are beneficial for the sports companies, the consumers, and our overall living. It is not a surprise how far sustainability in sports has come, and who knows what sustainable ways will appear in the years coming.
