Biodegradable or Recyclable? How to Choose Sustainable Yoga & Activewear Clothing That Truly Helps the Planet

Heike Schnell
2025-08-26T10:42:30+02:00

Learn the difference between biodegradable and recyclable clothing and discover why Wellicious chooses circular, non-toxic, Cradle to Cradle Certified® activewear.

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Sustainability has become more than just a buzzword in fashion—it is a necessity. As consumers become increasingly aware of the impact their choices have on the planet, terms such as biodegradable and recyclable are often used to describe “eco-friendly” clothing. But what do they actually mean, and which is better for the environment? At Wellicious, we believe it is time to clear up the confusion.

What Does Recyclable Clothing Mean?

Recyclable clothing is designed to be collected, broken down, and transformed into new fibres, yarns, or fabrics that can be reused. This helps extend the life of materials and reduce waste.

However, recycling in fashion is not always as straightforward as it sounds. Many garments are made of fibre blends—such as cotton mixed with polyester—which are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recycle. Even when garments are recycled, fibres have a limited lifespan. Each time they are broken down and reused, they lose quality and strength. After being recycled a few times, most fibres can no longer be reused and often still end up as waste.

At Wellicious, we have also not chosen to recycle our fabrics yet, as we do not want to mix our very clean and highly certified textiles with fabrics that do not meet the same strict standards as ours.

What Does Biodegradable Clothing Mean?

Biodegradable clothing is designed to break down naturally into non-toxic components, leaving no trace behind. This means that after you have finished wearing your garment, it can safely return to the earth—without polluting soil, water, or air.

But not all clothing labelled “biodegradable” is created equal. Some fabrics may partially biodegrade but still leave harmful chemicals, finishes, or plastic microfibres behind.

Why Wellicious Chose Biodegradable

At Wellicious, this was the deciding factor. We chose biodegradability because it is the most natural and effective way to close the loop. Our Cradle to Cradle Certified™ yoga and activewear is designed to be so safe for both your health and the planet that—even after recycling—at the very end of its life, it can still return harmlessly to nature.

By carefully selecting every fibre, dye, thread, and accessory to be non-toxic, we ensure our garments are truly clean and safe. Unlike conventional synthetic activewear, our fabrics are designed with biodegradable elastane that does not release dangerous microplastics. This means you can practise, wash, and live in your clothing with peace of mind, knowing you are not polluting the seas or harming your health.

Biodegradable vs. Recyclable: Which Is Better?

Both recycling and biodegradability play important roles in building a circular fashion system. Recycling helps extend the life of materials, but because fibres cannot be recycled forever, it is not a perfect solution.

Biodegradability, on the other hand, guarantees that no matter what happens, the garment will safely decompose without leaving harmful traces behind. For us, this is the ultimate way to eliminate fashion waste and pollution.

Our Vision

Our mission at Wellicious is to create yoga and activewear that supports your wellbeing while protecting the planet. By choosing biodegradable fabrics certified to the highest standards, we are proving that fashion can be both luxurious and truly sustainable.

We are proud to be Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Gold overall—one of the highest achievements in sustainable fashion. Even more importantly, for Material Health (which assesses the safety of every fibre, dye, thread, and accessory), we reached the Platinum level, the very best possible. This means our clothing is not only circular but also proven to be clean and safe for your body and for nature.

Together, we can move beyond the throwaway culture and create a cleaner, healthier future for all. To see our sustainable yoga & activewear click here.