1Rebel becomes first gym chain to ban plastic bottles

UK-based fitness chain 1Rebel - which is expected to open its first gyms in Australia this year - has introduced a zero-tolerance rule on plastic bottles in an effort to reduce waste.

Believed to be the first fitness group to eliminate single-use plastic like water bottles and shake containers - familiar features of gyms everywhere - entirely across all of the brand's studios, 1Rebel’s #RebelAgainstPlastic initiative will see plastic water bottles replaced by stainless steel versions and protein shakes packaged in bio-degradable containers rather than plastic.

A move to reduce the excessive consumption of single-use plastics in the fitness industry, the initiative backs up 1Rebel’s environmental credentials.

Introduced at 1Rebel’s four London studios, reusable stainless steel containers have replaced plastic water bottles, plastic cups for protein shakes have been switched to bio-degradable versions - complete with bio-degradable straws - and 100% recyclable and re-usable kit bags have been introduced in all changing rooms.

Commenting on the initiative, 1Rebel co-founder and Chief Executive James Balfour stated “we are all aware of the shocking statistics around the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans every year.

“As innovators in the fitness industry, we have a responsibility to tackle this problem and put an end to the mindless consumption of plastic that has become the norm within the gym environment.

“We hope this inspires others to overhaul their waste and recycling policies in a similar way.”

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the company decided to act after calculating that its annual plastic bottle consumption exceeded over 37,000 units at its two City-based studios alone.

The #RebelAgainstPlastic initiative has also been expand across the company's supply chain with regular employee briefings on how to reduce plastic consumption on a day-to-day basis.

Founded by Balfour (the son of Fitness First founder Mike Balfour) and Giles Dean in 2015, 1Rebel offers high intensity, results-driven group workouts on a pay-as-you-train basis, against a backdrop of live music, DJ curated playlists, cutting-edge design and high-end facilities.