Sustainability in Athletic Training: A Review of Health Implications Associated With the Environmental Degradation and a Practical Plan for Initiating Green Techniques

Examining the Environmental Effects of Athletic Training: Perceptions of Waste and the Use of Green Techniques

“…9 This waste contributes to the degradation of the environment and, in turn, the health of its population. 6,9,10 Types of medical waste include solid waste (eg, trash, garbage), biohazard waste (eg, ''sharps,'' human products), and hazardous chemical waste (eg, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants). 5 Each type of waste necessitates special consideration for management.…”

“…The AT need only reflect on his or her daily practice in terms of how many ankles were taped, how much water was thrown out, how many paper forms were completed, and how many items went into a trash can versus a recycling bin to start to consider the cumulative environmental results of one's clinical practice. 6 Previous researchers 7 suggested that ATs' opinions of environmental sustainability were positive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine ATs' knowledge of environmental sustainability techniques, identify the types of waste produced by the practice of athletic training, and ascertain what, if any, green techniques ATs are currently using to minimize waste.…”