If you don’t think Pole dancing and saving the planet go together- think again! June 5 is World Environment Day; the UN’s most important day for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment around the world.  World Environment Day was first celebrated in 1974 and is currently celebrated in over 100 countries. Every World Environment Day has a different host country and theme. India is the host country for 2018 and the theme of the year is “Beat Plastic Pollution: If You Can’t Reuse it, Refuse it”. We’ve all heard the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle”, but environmental sustainability and pole dancing don’t necessarily seem to go hand in hand. Here are a few ways you can ensure that your pole practice is good for your body and the earth:

1. Hand Wash and Line Dry Pole Clothes

In the typical North American household, washing machines are the second leading use of water. Even high efficiency machines use as much as 30 gallons per load. Washing and tumble drying Clothes also contributes to over 8% of residential CO2 emissions. Hand washing and line drying pole clothes is a relatively simple way to reduce water and electricity usage and CO2 emissions. This method of cleaning is also better for the clothes, as they will maintain their shape better and last longer!

2. Buy High Quality Clothes and Training Aids

We live in an increasingly disposable society. Many items are mass produced at extremely low cost with the “savings” then being passed on to the consumer. Today’s bargains can have a decades-long environmental impact. Low quality items rarely last long, and once they’re worn out, torn, or broken, they end up in a landfill where they will take lifetimes to break down. Quality products will probably cost a bit more money up front, but they will last longer, saving you money in the long run and saving space in landfills. This isn’t only true for clothes; quality yoga mats, knee pads, yoga straps, and other training aids will benefit you and the environment in the long run.

Use Natural Products When Possible

This applies to beauty products used off the pole as well as grip aids used on the pole. The primary problem with non-natural products is in how the product is disposed. Not only can packaging cause unnecessary landfill waste, but also when we throw away an “empty” container of product or wash a product off our skin, particulate matter can find its way into marine ecosystems. The particulate from one jar of moisturizer or one container of grip may not seem like much, but when you multiply it by thousands upon thousands of consumers, the impact adds up quickly.

Natural products are much less likely to disrupt the environment. Look for cosmetics made from natural sources which haven’t been tested on animals. There are several naturally-based grip products available as well. Itac, for example, is made from organic beeswax and high-grade plant based esters. Of course, not all cosmetics or grip aids work for every body and skin type. Sometimes you may need to use a non-natural product. Despite this, ingredient list should at least be a consideration when making a decision.

Use Only Bio-Degradable Glitter

Like many pole dancers, I love all things that sparkle, shimmer, and shine. Glitter, however, is nothing more than a shiny piece of microplastic (defined as any plastic less than five millimeters in length). This small size allows glitter to pass through drains and filters more easily and end up in the oceans. Similar to the issues with microbeads, which were banned from personal use products in the U.S. in 2015, glitter is then consumed by fish and other sea creatures who mistake the non-digestible shiny substances as food.

There are still options if you want to sparkle with a clean conscience. Some companies, such as BioGlitz and EcoStardust, have begun producing biodegradable glitter made from plant-based sources.  The glitter produced by these companies (and a handful of others) will break down naturally and not be mistaken for fish food or leech harmful chemicals into the water supply.

With a few relatively simple swaps pole dancers can save the earth…or at least make it a slightly better place for all of us to live!