UK households buying bottled water have been issued an urgent warning. The new year sees a renewed interest in fitness with 12 per cent of new gym members signing up in January, as Pure Gym reports February and March consistently experience some of the busiest days in the year.
This increased activity has a big environmental impact, as experts at BusinessWaste.co.uk estimate that more than nine million water bottles are thrown away by gyms every year. One Yorkshire-based small gym owner said: “It might not seem like much, but when you collect five to ten bottles every single day, they start to add up.
“They are also different materials, so we don’t have the facilities to recycle each one correctly—glass, aluminium, steel, or plastic—they all end up in mixed recycling.” If every gym sees five bottles forgotten daily, and with 5,193 gyms operating across the UK3, this seemingly small number could add up quickly to a whopping 9,477,225 bottles left behind each year.
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Waste expert Mark Hall, from BusinessWaste.co.uk, commented: “When reusable bottles are left behind, staff must manage additional cleanup, and the burden on waste management systems grows. For anyone who forgets their bottle, we recommend first and foremost trying to retrieve it from the gym before buying another. If you do plan to dispose of a reusable water bottle, take it home and research how to do it correctly.”
UK households are urged to consider buying second-hand instead. Online marketplaces like Facebook and Vinted are great for finding second-hand fitness gear. Reduce your impact on the environment and save money too. Plenty of listings can be found for new or almost new items like trainers, running vests, fitness trackers, and so on. Always consider these options before buying something new.
Once you’ve used any fitness gear to the end of its life, consider recycling schemes to avoid anything going to landfill. Many retailers offer recycling schemes such as SportsShoes.com’s ‘Jog On’ scheme, or Runners Need’s ‘Recycle my Run’ for old trainers.
Many high-street retailers offer rewards for recycling old clothing and O2 Recycle will pay you money for any smartwatches.