If you’re worried about the environment, it may be difficult to find certain products and items. Swimming pools might be one of the hardest things to find because very few are really eco-friendly. While inflatable pools aren’t as good as a natural lake or ocean, they aren’t quite as bad as in-ground or above-ground pools. This is largely due to their smaller size, but there are several other benefits to consider.
Fewer Materials
Except for rare instances, an inflatable pool is the smallest type of pool that you can buy. Since these pools are smaller, then use much fewer materials. If you buy an aboveground pool, then you need a large vinyl liner and plastic posts. In-ground pools feature large concrete, fiberglass or vinyl bodies.
Inflatable pools are almost always made from plastic. Plastic definitely isn’t the best material, but the good thing is that it’s easy to recycle. It’s getting easier to find inflatable pools that are partially or entirely made from recycled plastic. This means that you can have a pool with a much smaller carbon footprint.
Less Water and Chemicals
This is another benefit that you can attribute to an inflatable pool’s small size. These pools require less water than the other two types of pools. You can easily cool off and have fun on a hot summer’s day without wasting hundreds or thousands of gallons of water.
The added benefit is that you don’t have to use nearly as much chemicals to keep the water clean. Many people will dump the water and fill the pool again if the water gets dirty. This might be a viable option for very small inflatable pools, but it isn’t as good for the environment. Keeping the water clean with a low dosage of chlorine is easy, and it ensures that you use as few resources as possible.
No Construction
Construction wastes resources. Aboveground pools typically don’t require much construction, but you will have to dig a wide hole. This might use some resources, but it’s not that bad. In-ground pools are very bad in this regard. Even the simplest in-ground pools will typically require some intense construction work. If your backyard is full of rocks or very hard dirt, then blasting might even be required to install the pool.
You don’t have to do any construction with an inflatable pool. Even the biggest ones can be filled with a vacuum or persistent blowing. This means that you don’t have to waste oil with heavy machinery, and you don’t have to add more to landfills by moving dirt away from your backyard.
Accessories
Both aboveground and in-ground pools require a number of accessories. You will need a filter to keep the water clean, a ladder to safely get in and out, and a winterized cover for when it gets cold. All of these accessories waste materials. The worst one is the filter. Not only does a lot of plastic and metal have to be used to make a filter, but also you typically have to use refined materials to help the filter clean the water. This means that you’re adding to your carbon footprint just to use the pool.
The majority of inflatable pools don’t need special accessories. The largest pools are typically easy to enter without a ladder, but the ones that do need ladders can use smaller ones. This keeps you from using too much metal and plastic. Filters are also a rarity. Those that need filters use much smaller models that are about half the size of a regular filter.
You can easily operate the pool without adding any accessories. This will really keep your carbon footprint as small as possible while still letting you have fun during the warmer seasons.
Conclusion
It’s hard to find eco-friendly pools. While inflatable pools definitely aren’t ideal, they are much better than the other two types of pools. They are smaller, need less water and chemicals and you don’t have to worry about extra construction or accessories.
Author Bio: Bob Quigley is a landscaping and family fun enthusiast who contributes to many blogs about the greatest outdoor trends and pools tips on behalf of the Backyard Ocean intex pool filter. Quigley suggests visiting their website to explore the best aboveground pool options!
