Staying Sustainable: a GoodGymers Guide to Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and with it, the New Year - a time synonymous with kicking old habits and setting big goals for the year ahead. For some, this could mean new running gear is on the horizon. And although yes, it is important to have the right gear, from hi-viz clothing and a head torch for winter running to the right shoes to prevent injuries - it’s important to consider the impact of our purchases as well.

Whilst we all like new things, the fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international shipping and aviation combined, with emissions from fast fashion expected to grow by 50% by 2030. Moreover, workers in the textile and fashion industries are often subject to extreme working conditions and exposed to dangerous chemicals and machinery.

Tackling climate change means we all need to consume less, and that includes sports gear. So, how can you source running gear more sustainably, and what should you do with it when you no longer need it?

Earlier this year, GoodGym’s Environmental Working Group met up to discuss this - here are some of our top tips for finding a balance between making sure you have suitable running gear and reducing your impact on the planet.

Don’t shop

Have you ever rediscovered a long forgotten item during a clear out, or found a great new way to wear a favourite piece of clothing? The most sustainable item of clothing is the one you already own, so try ‘shopping your wardrobe’ (or attic or under the bed) for those forgotten items. For new ways to style clothing, try pinterest or a reverse image search on Google.

If you have items you no longer want or the hankering for something new won’t go away, this is also a great chance to swap some clothing. Try searching sites like Eventbrite or Nextdoor for ‘swap shops’ in your area, or organise a clothing swap with your GoodGym area or run club.

Buy and sell second hand

If there aren’t any opportunities to swap clothing in your area or you’re in need of a specific item, there are plenty of opportunities to shop second hand. Try charity shops or ‘kilo sales’ in your local area for bargains, or apps like Vinted and depop for your favourite running brands. January is a great time to shop on apps, with people listing unwanted Christmas gifts and new runners realising that perhaps they don’t need all the gear just yet.

These are also great options for donating or selling items that are still in good condition.

Make do and mend

Running gear goes through a lot, and there’s nothing worse than having to part with a favourite pair of leggings or running shoes due to one small hole.

GoodGym Environmental Working Group members were big fans of toe savers to help prevent the common problem of the toes wearing through. You can also buy patches and tape to help mend outerwear, and mend trainers using kinesiology tape and glue - Green Runners have a guide with lots of repair options for running gear and Patagonia also offers repair guides for a variety of outdoor and sports gear.

If the lack of a glue gun or sewing machine is stopping you from giving your gear a new lease of life, there is a sustainable solution for that too. Try renting from neighbours with Fat llama, or look for a local Library of Things.

Recycle old clothing

Less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing at the end of its life. If you can’t mend or donate your items, check if recycling is an option before throwing them away.

For running gear specifically, Runners Need offers a ‘Recycle My Gear’ service while ‘Jog On’ redistributes running shoes that are still wearable. Some brands such as On Running also provide in-store recycling points. All of these are great options to ensure you’re minimising your impact when saying goodbye to old gear.

Give the gift of GoodGym

If you’re looking for something a little different, consider giving the gift of GoodGym. Most of us don’t get active with friends and family, and the time we spend together also tends to decrease as we get older.

Perhaps, the best gift you can offer is an opportunity to spend time together, doing something productive for your community and getting active whilst you do it?

Each year, GoodGym also opens our Give the gift of GoodGym donation option - allowing you to support the cost of membership by paying it forward. This can be for your friends and family, or a random act of kindness to help us continue to do what we do. Find out more about giving the gift of GoodGym.