{"id":4810,"date":"2026-01-07T10:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=4810"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:35:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:35:55","slug":"just-1-more-rep-donating-or-using-old-sports-equipment-keeps-it-out-of-landfills-for-longer-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=4810","title":{"rendered":"Just 1 more rep: Donating or using old sports equipment keeps it out of landfills for longer time"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

SINGAPORE \u2013 Planning to buy new sports equipment such as treadmills, stationary bikes or weights to help meet your New Year\u2019s resolutions and fitness goals? You may want to consider using or buying pre-loved hardware, or taking up a gym membership, instead. <\/p>\n

This is because used sports equipment is typically not recyclable and most waste collection systems, including Singapore\u2019s, do not have dedicated recycling channels for such items. The discarded equipment is likely to be incinerated and end up in the landfill, said the Singapore Environment Council (SEC).<\/p>\n

\u201cUnwanted sports equipment which is still functional or can be repaired should be resold or donated so as to extend its lifespan,\u201d added the SEC in response to queries from The Straits Times about a <\/p>\n

recent circular bazaar by sports retailer Decathlon<\/p>\n

<\/a>, where participants could trade in their used Decathlon sports gear for up to $800 in vouchers.<\/p>\n

At the bazaar, sports lovers received vouchers for trading in items such as weights, scooters, skateboards and winter apparel, with varying valuations based on the condition of the products.<\/p>\n

SEC, which commended Decathlon for its efforts to reduce waste, said: \u201cFast-moving fashion trends can result in high turnover and disposal of equipment when trends fall out of fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Decathlon said its bazaar on Oct 25 and 26 drew 15,000 visitors and collected over 2.5 tonnes of pre-loved equipment \u2013 40 per cent more than the previous edition in March.<\/p>\n

Attendee Jorene Cheng, 39, returned her skateboard at the event. She said she fell while using it for the first time and had not used it since. <\/p>\n

Said Ms Cheng: \u201cRegardless of the trade-in value, at least the product gets a second life. Many people buy different sports equipment to try, but they do not use it after and it is left there.\u201d<\/p>\n

In response to the success of the bazaar, Decathlon said that for future editions it would expand the categories of products it buys back from five to 15. The expanded list includes camping furniture, backpacks, hiking poles, golf equipment, basketball hoops and rackets.<\/p>\n

Home-grown gym equipment retailer Carbyne Fitness also has a trade-in programme. <\/p>\n

People can donate their equipment to the company, which arranges for collection and then passes it on to needy families and seniors. Donors may also leave their equipment at its warehouse in Tampines.<\/p>\n

Its founder, Mr Brian Chang, said that many retailers, especially smaller ones, are unable to offer trade-in programmes because of limited resources.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/div>
\n

Carbyne Fitness collects donated fitness equipment and passes it on to needy families and seniors.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRIAN CHANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Besides trying to give equipment a second home, Mr Chang said that when Carbyne Fitness sources its products, it ensures that replacement parts are available and also tests equipment for durability.<\/p>\n

He noted that there are few avenues for donating sports equipment and said he has seen discarded equipment such as treadmills and benches at his HDB block, with many people assuming that donating such bulky items would cost at least $100 for removal.<\/p>\n

The National Environment Agency urged fitness enthusiasts to dispose of their used sports equipment properly. It added that residents in Housing Board estates and private apartments may contact their town councils or estate management agents for the removal of bulky items.<\/p>\n

Businesses and residents in landed housing estates may contact the appointed waste collectors directly for removal service. <\/p>\n

In response to queries from ST, national agency Sport Singapore (SportSG) said that it prioritises the repair of equipment at its sport facilities wherever possible.<\/p>\n

It added that it encourages sustainable habits during its events, such as by asking participants to bring their own water bottles and having medals and trophies made from wood or recycled cans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also focus on reducing waste generation through careful planning and resource allocation at our events,\u201d said SportSG.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/div>
\n

Carbyne Fitness founder Brian Chang said that there is no \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d solution for sports equipment wastage.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRIAN CHANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr Chang said that in terms of environmental friendliness, the difference between getting a gym membership and buying home gym equipment could be \u201cequivalent to taking public transport versus buying a car\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, he also pointed out that the emissions produced by one\u2019s journey on transport to the gym may make investing in home gym equipment \u201cworthwhile\u201d in the long term.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThe users save travelling time and reduce their carbon footprint to the extent that having equipment at home will be worth it over a long period of time such as five or 10 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately, it depends on the individual\u2019s commitment, distance from the gym, budget and other factors. I would not say there is a one-size-fits-all solution.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n