Gateway to Sustainability in Japan

Japan begins to discover sustainable sportswear promotes total well-being

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? Adjusting your fitness routine is often a common resolution. Especially in the past two years, more employers have introduced remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, this has prompted people to rethink their well-being. Exercise routines are an effective way to keep you healthy physically as well as mentally. Some may also seek sportswear as a necessary item to improve their fitness this year. In order to achieve total well-being, there are little-known facts about sportswear that one should be aware of.

Can sportswear be a bad influence on your health?

Most sportswear is made out of polyester, which is derived from petroleum due to its quick dryness and moisture permeability. However, a large amount of carbon dioxide is emitted by manufacturing and incinerating polyester clothing, exacerbating global warming. Approximately 66% of clothes that are discarded are incinerated or sent to landfill. Landfill polyester degrades into microplastics, and this leads to marine pollution. Thus, unfortunately, making an effort to improve your well-being can have an unhealthy impact on the environment where you live.

An ethical fashion brand for fitness

In 2020, Rola, a famous celebrity in Japan, launched a sustainable fashion brand STUDIO R330 to bring happiness by contributing to the future of the planet. For STUDIO R330’s sportswear, approximately 83% of materials are “BRING material.” As a more sustainable substitute for polyester, BRING material is developed in cooperation with the BRING project. BRING material is made by recycling clothes that are collected from participating companies. Furthermore, these clothes can be recycled multiple times, which can reduce the waste of clothes and the use of petroleum.

Herb ritts leggings.
(Image: STUDIO R330)

Besides sportswear, STUDIO R330 has sustainable clothes for long-term use and versatility, such as t-shirts and sweatshirts made out of 100% organic certified cotton, and denim, which is produced by a b-corp certified company, SAITEX.

Understanding the background can lead the way to a healthier lifestyle

Choosing sustainable products can reduce the environmental impact, which improves your environmental surroundings. When you are eager to improve your well-being, you may feel pressured to jump in the deep end with major lifestyle changes. However, nothing can be perfect at the beginning. Starting with understanding the background of each product around you is a huge first step to creating healthier lifestyles and a cleaner environment.

Written by
Moe Kamimoto

Her mission is to make the world a better place for everyone since she studied human rights and environmental issues in college. She is especially interested in sustainable fashion and cosmetics, diversity, and gender equality. A nature and animal lover.

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Written by Moe Kamimoto