Small Steps for a Big Impact
Step up to the starting line in the race to a more sustainable future. When we think of wellness, consider the well-being of the earth and remember that we all have the ability to take great strides towards a lasting and positive impact when it comes to the health of our planet.
We only get one earth, let’s take care of it so it can continue to take care of us with nutritious foods, water to drink, places to run, hike, walk, play and explore.
Supporting and protecting our environment is something we can do every day both individually and collectively in ways big and small and here are some of my go-to favorites.
New Life for Old Items
When it comes time to retire a pair of running shoes or upgrade the current bike, find a local shop or program that accepts donations. Doing so keeps these items out of the landfill and gives new life and purpose to an item with a lot of memories and probably miles, too.
Blue Ridge Cyclery is your friendly, family-owned local bike shop with a store in Warrenton as well as two in Charlottesville and their newest spot in Richmond. They are community- and customer-centric, they love to talk bikes and they care a lot about getting people on the right product. They also care about giving back and providing others with the chance to do so also. The Warrenton shop is a donation location for Bikes for the World, a non-profit that picks up bikes from Blue Ridge Cyclery about once a quarter and, as the name suggests, ships them all around the world. In their most recent visit, they were able to collect about 50 bikes that they planned to send to Rwanda and Madagascar. Anyone is welcome to drop off bicycles, bicycle spare parts and components as well as bicycle accessories. Bikes for the World only asks for a $10 donation to help with the costs of getting the bike to its new home.
“These are items that have been used and loved,” says Kristin (KK) Kesecker, marketing and outreach manager for Blue Ridge Cyclery. “We don’t want to see it thrown away. You can give everything a new life.”
Additionally, in the Charlottesville locations, Blue Ridge Cyclery works with Community Bikes, a local non-profit that not only recycles bikes but also makes cycling accessible in Charlottesville and offers classes on bike maintenance and repair. In Charlottesville, the Blue Ridge Cyclery shops also offer a yard sale-style bike swap twice a year where people can drop off parts, bike racks, bikes, gear, accessories and more.
“Let’s re-use as much as possible,” Kesecker says. “We are passionate about cycling and we want to make sure everyone can reap the benefits. We are all of that mind here.”
Reusable Water Bottles
Hydration is incredibly important.
Ensuring we consume the proper amount of water throughout the day is vital when it comes to our health and wellness. Reusable water bottles are a great step in the right direction when it comes to protecting the planet. And don’t stop there, take it a step further and find a water bottle manufactured by a company that cares about the earth. When choosing your reusable water bottle, look for a company that is eco-conscious, a company that uses recycled material, a company that creates a lasting product and a company that gives back to help make the world a better place for today and tomorrow.
Reusable water bottles come in tons of unique shapes, sizes, designs and customizations so there is something for everyone. This is one small, simple step you can take to help the environment.
Environmentally-Friendly Gear
When we choose our fitness gear — clothing, shoes, equipment — we may consider any number of factors from cost to fit to feel to brand to design. Top of that list should also be a consideration around environmental impact. Fortunately, a lot of companies are stepping up their efforts in this arena so you have plenty of choices without sacrificing comfort or style. Similar to reusable water bottles, look for companies that use recycled materials and adhere to environmentally-responsible manufacturing. If a company works with manufacturing partners, check their best practices, too.
Reduced Footprint
There are many steps we can take to reduce our footprint. Opting to bike, walk or run not only gives us a chance to get outside and enjoy the environment we should work so hard to protect, but it also reduces the time we spend driving a car. While we are out experiencing the outdoors, be respectful of wildlife and nature. Take a picture but not an object, leave the natural setting as you found it so others are able to enjoy it in future just like you are enjoying it in that moment. If you see trash while out and about, gather it if you are able and recycle it where possible or dispose of it properly. If it belongs to nature, enjoy it but leave it. And if it doesn’t belong there, always aim to leave the space better than you found it.
This is a shared planet for us all to enjoy. Opt for reusable containers for the food to fuel your activities. When this is not an option, choose products with packaging that can be recycled. Some running, cycling, outdoor shops even have partnership programs where you can drop off your packaging and they will do the rest, take the time to seek out these places and programs.
Whatever your activity or adventure, embark on the journey with an open and inquisitive mind. Your health and wellness is a top priority and the planet’s is, too! Allow curiosity to be your guide and always ask yourself what moves you can make for a sustainable future and then take it one step — or cycle — at a time.
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As a columnist for FauquierNow, this was originally written by me for Fit in Fauquier, our fitness and well-being column.