Eco-friendliness in sportswear: why is it important and how to choose?

Did you know that the second biggest polluter of the planet after the oil industry is the fashion industry? The scale of the destructive impact of mass-produced clothing on the planet is shocking. That is why many sportswear companies have adopted the principle of environmental sustainability, using various technologies and materials to reduce their ecological footprint. The essence of the principle is that current production and satisfaction of the needs of modern society should not harm future generations, but find a balance between them. There is even a term "eco-fashion" or "sustainable fashion". But does everyone really understand what it is?

Environmental issues in sportswear production.

Thoughtless (uncontrolled) use of natural resources, petroleum products and hazardous chemicals in the production of sportswear, plus production waste and ill-conceived logistics lead to environmental problems. Let us explain now.

• Use of petroleum products.
  Most modern materials used to make sportswear, such as polyester and nylon, are made from petroleum and other petroleum products. Their production and processing can lead to environmental pollution and negative impacts on the climate.
• Use of hazardous chemicals.
  Some sportswear materials and trims use hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, phthalates, and PVC, which can pollute the environment and pose a risk to human health.
• Production waste.
  The production of sportswear also produces a large amount of waste, such as fabric scraps and unusable samples. This waste can be difficult to recycle and may end up in landfills. In addition, the volume of clothing that ends up in landfills every year is also measured in millions of tons. All this leads to environmental pollution and the creation of a large amount of waste.
• Poor logistics.
  Many sports brands produce their clothing in countries with low environmental standards and then ship it to other countries. This results in large greenhouse gas emissions, which can increase global warming.

A few statistics.
According to a report by the World Resources Institute, the production of one cotton T-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water, which is approximately the amount of water a person consumes in 2.5 years. Mass cotton cultivation in Central Asia has become one of the main reasons for the drying up of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.

And according to estimates from the American company Levi's, the legendary manufacturer of denim clothing, the full life cycle of the 501 denim model - from growing cotton to subsequent washing when worn - requires 3,781 liters of water. Therefore, the brand has developed its own technology to reduce water use in production and actively encourages the use of recycled cotton.

So there is a way out of the situation. It is possible to reduce the harmful impact of sportswear production on the environment if:

• use natural and human resources carefully;
• use environmentally friendly raw materials;
• recycle production waste and old clothes to make new ones;
• reduce the use of "chemicals" to a minimum;
• implement sustainable production methods and optimize processes in order to reduce waste and emissions;
• develop environmentally friendly methods of transportation.

How to choose eco-friendly sportswear: materials and manufacturers.

When choosing eco-friendly sportswear, pay attention to several key aspects, such as materials, manufacturers, and the brand's environmental policy. Here are some recommendations to help you make a more conscious choice:

1. Organic and natural materials. Opt for clothes made from organic materials such as natural cotton, bamboo, hemp or Tencel. The raw materials for these fabrics are produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and GMOs, which reduces the negative impact on the environment.
2. Recycled and recycled materials: Look for clothing made from recycled or recycled materials, such as recycled polyester or nylon. Using these materials helps reduce waste and resource consumption.
3. Certifications and labels: Check for certifications or labels that indicate the environmental sustainability of the product. For example, some of these may include GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification for organic cotton or Bluesign certification for safe and sustainable materials.
4. Quality and durability. Invest in quality clothing that will last a long time. Avoid buying cheap items of questionable quality - they will wear out quickly and need replacing. Remember that clothes that you wear for a long time have a smaller environmental footprint.
5. Size: Buy clothes in the right size to avoid having to buy new clothes too often.
6. Local: Whenever possible, choose sportswear from local manufacturers to reduce the environmental footprint of their delivery and production.

Brands offering eco-friendly sportswear.

For those planning to update their sports wardrobe, we suggest taking a closer look at “sustainable” brands that use gentle technologies, recycled and eco-friendly materials in the production of clothing. Their things look stylish, are comfortable to use and are friendly to the environment.

Brand P.E Nation. Young Australian brand created in 2016 in Sydney. Offers spectacular tight leggings, crop tops, trousers with elastic waistband, sweatshirts, tank tops, T-shirts, jackets, shorts, jeans. The bright character of the brand is emphasized by a colorful palette, retro chic, recycled materials, bold cuts and cuts.

Adidas Parley brand. The collaboration between Adidas and the non-profit organization dealing with the problems of the world's oceans Parley for the Oceans has given the world a collection of clothing and footwear for sports and active recreation. Such models of shoes as adidas Superstar, Forum or Stan Smith are made of at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic™ material and recycled polyester fiber.

Patagonia brand. A pioneer among sportswear for mountaineering and tourism from "eco-friendly fabrics". Together with Polarteс, the company developed a popular fleece, which is also made from recycled materials. Patagonia also uses innovative fabrics, from eco-cotton grown without pesticides to hemp fiber and Yulex™ wetsuit fabric, which is made from natural rubber instead of synthetic neoprene made from petroleum products.

Girlfriend Collective has launched a limited edition of sportswear made from recycled plastic. Each pair of T-shirts is made from 25 plastic bottles collected in Taiwan, where 55% of all waste is recycled. The new eco-collection by Girlfriend Collective includes sports leggings and a bra in three different colors.

Conclusion.

Eco-sports style is not just a way of life, but a responsible choice that involves careful use of natural resources and care for the environment. One of the important aspects of this lifestyle is the choice of eco-sports items. When purchasing such clothing, you should pay attention to brands, materials used, quality certificates, place of production, and avoid excessive consumption. In this way, each of us can start leading an ecological sports lifestyle and contribute to the preservation of the environment.