As a ballet dancer, I try to minimize my environmental footprint by making small yet impactful choices. I always use a reusable water bottle instead of disposable plastic ones, and I repurpose the ribbons from my old pointe shoes instead of constantly buying new ones. However, I recognize that there are areas where I could improve, such as reducing packaging waste from ballet supplies or finding more sustainable options for dancewear.
Unfortunately, my ballet school does not practice selective sorting, meaning recyclable waste often gets mixed with general trash. A simple but effective initiative could be implementing zero waste bins to encourage better recycling habits. Additionally, educating dancers about carbon literacy—such as reducing unnecessary consumption of resources—could foster more environmentally conscious habits.
One challenge in ballet is that many essential items, like pointe shoes, wear out quickly and are difficult to recycle. However, there are opportunities for positive change, such as encouraging brands to develop more sustainable materials or launching donation programs for lightly used dancewear.
For the future, my personal goal is to further reduce my waste by exploring eco-friendly alternatives for dance gear. At the club level, I would love to see my school introduce a recycling system to promote sustainability among dancers. Small changes can make a big difference, and as athletes/artists, we have a responsibility to care for both our art and our planet.