Creating an eco-friendly and sustainable gym might not be at the forefront of your mind when you’re setting up your S&C coaching business. We’re here to show you why it should be! When it comes to futureproofing your business, sustainability is a key aspect to consider. To help you get started, we’ve pulled together our top 7 tips. Keep reading to check them out.
1. Start Recycling
One of the easiest ways to make your gym sustainable is to introduce a recycling programme. Recycling programs can vary depending on your council and what you can recycle within your city. The first thing you need to do is look into what options you have in your area. You can do this by simply Googling ‘Recycling in’ and your local area. For example, here at Strength and Conditioning Education, we would Google ‘Recycling in Leeds’. This will direct you to your local council site where you should be able to find a list of everything you can recycle locally.
How to introduce recycling
To effectively introduce recycling, it’s best to try to make it as easy as possible for members to recycle. An easy way to do this is to set up recycling bins in your gym with clear instructions. Instructions should include information on what items can go in each bin. Depending on what you can recycle locally, we advise having a place for cans, glass bottles, plastics, and paper. To really make your recycling programme work, you can introduce it as part of your new member induction. You can then arrange for your recycling to be taken directly to the recycling plant every week or so. You might even be able to save some money doing this too as you’ll have less commercial waste and many councils incentivise recycling schemes.
2. Get eco-friendly gym supplies
When you’re stocking your gym with supplies, think carefully about every item. We recommend considering how it’s sourced, how you’ll use it, how long it will last, and the carbon footprint of the company you’re buying from. This can include everything from office supplies to the products you choose to sell from your gym. An item doesn’t HAVE to be made using recycled materials to be sustainable. If it’s equipment and is going to last years and years, this also counts as sustainable. And again, buying equipment that will last will save you money in the long term.
3. Reduce water waste
Reducing water waste is a great way to create a sustainable gym environment. There are lots of things you can do to reduce water waste in your gym, especially when it comes to your locker/changing rooms. Did you know… you can save up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute by implementing smart water programs. Smart water programmes include installing low‑flow showerheads, toilets, and taps. Saving water goes a long way to offsetting your carbon footprint. And again, this will reduce your bills to so it’s a win‑win in our eyes.
4. Reduce plastic waste
In today’s world, it really goes without saying that we should all be looking for ways we can reduce our plastic waste and your gym should be no different. Reducing your plastic waste is as simple as reducing the amount of single-use plastic you are using within your gym.
How to reduce plastic waste
For example, instead of selling single‑use plastic water bottles, provide water for your members to fill up their own refillable bottles. Instead of selling individual small bottles of protein shakes, sell scoops of protein that members can put into their own shakers or introduce a shake bar where you can make up protein shakes for your members. You can also sell your own branded reusable water bottles and provide unlimited free filtered water. This will encourage the reduction of single‑use plastics and offers a little bit of advertising and money from selling the bottles too, so you can save the planet and make revenue at the same time – easy!
5. Introduce efficient lighting
Using energy within your gym is a given, however there are ways you can reduce the amount of electricity and energy you are using. Things such as indoor lighting can generate a huge cost for gyms. Installing LED lightbulbs can save 20‑30% vs conventional lighting. You could also look to install a skylight or additional windows which will save on electricity too through natural lighting. Adding motion sensor lights or timers on your lighting is also another great way to reduce your energy and save money!
6. Go paperless
Did you know… it takes on average five litres of water to produce a single page of A4 paper – that’s a lot of water for one piece of paper! Around 50% of the waste from businesses consists of paper and with email, apps, business management software and much more, the need for paper in business is hugely decreasing. You can reduce your need for paper too by providing services like an app (we recommend RYPT app) where clients can book in and manage their classes, and E‑agreements for signing up to your gym or signing waivers. Another great sustainable option that will also save you money on printing and buying paper.
7. Generate partnerships with sustainable companies
Partnerships are a great way to generate revenue, branch out, and reach a wider audience. When looking for businesses to partner with, think about their sustainability practices, their carbon footprint, and whether they align with your brand as a whole. Whether it’s workout gear, yoga mats, protein powder, vitamins, or supplements consider how sustainable the company is, there’s no point creating a sustainable gym to throw it all away by partnering with a non-sustainable company.
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