Shop Eco Friendly Activewear
What Eco Friendly Actually Means in This Context
Eco friendly is one of the most diluted phrases in apparel marketing. Bellissima uses it with a specific set of credentials behind it. The primary fiber is TENCEL Lyocell, produced by Lenzing AG from wood pulp sourced exclusively from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). These are independent, third-party certification bodies that verify responsible harvesting, biodiversity protection, and community rights in forest management. The production process is closed-loop: Lenzing recaptures over 99% of the solvent used to dissolve wood pulp into fiber, dramatically reducing the chemical discharge associated with conventional viscose rayon manufacturing (Lenzing AG, 2023). The TENCEL Lyocell fiber carries OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification at the fiber level, confirming the absence of over 100 substances of concern. Bellissima does not yet hold finished-product OEKO-TEX certification, and that is stated plainly rather than obscured.
Where the Eco Credentials Are Real and Where They Have Limits
Bellissima's eco friendly activewear performs best in yoga, pilates, barre, reformer, walking, and recovery movement. Every garment is 92% TENCEL Lyocell and 8% spandex. The TENCEL component is plant-derived, biodegradable under controlled conditions per ISO 14855 and ISO 20200, and produced without petroleum inputs. The spandex component is synthetic, petroleum-derived, and not biodegradable. The finished garment is not compostable, not fully natural, and will shed a small number of synthetic fibers during washing due to the spandex content. These are the honest limits of the eco friendly claim. The fabric is meaningfully more environmentally considered than conventional polyester or nylon activewear, and that is true without overclaiming.
How This Compares to Recycled Polyester
Recycled polyester is the most common eco friendly claim in activewear. It reduces virgin plastic consumption, which is a genuine benefit. It does not, however, reduce microplastic shedding. A 2016 study by Browne et al. found that synthetic fabrics release microplastic fibers into wastewater during washing regardless of whether the source material is virgin or recycled. TENCEL Lyocell sheds cellulosic fibers, which are biodegradable. For sustained high-intensity training such as running or HIIT, the wicking performance of synthetic fabrics is genuinely superior, and Bellissima does not claim otherwise. For yoga, pilates, barre, reformer, and low-impact use, TENCEL provides strong performance alongside a more considered environmental profile. Sizes XS to XL, black.
What makes Bellissima activewear eco friendly?
The primary fiber is TENCEL Lyocell, produced from FSC or PEFC certified forest wood pulp in a closed-loop manufacturing process that recaptures over 99% of the solvent used in production. The fiber is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified at the fiber level through Lenzing AG and biodegradable under controlled conditions.
Is eco friendly activewear fully biodegradable?
The TENCEL Lyocell component is biodegradable under controlled conditions per ISO 14855 and ISO 20200. The 8% spandex content is synthetic and not biodegradable, so the finished garment as a whole is not fully compostable.
How does TENCEL compare to recycled polyester environmentally?
Recycled polyester reduces virgin plastic use but retains the microplastic shedding profile of conventional polyester. TENCEL Lyocell is plant-derived, produced in a closed-loop system, and sheds cellulosic fibers that biodegrade. For most environmental impact categories, TENCEL Lyocell has a more favorable profile than recycled polyester.
What activities is eco friendly activewear suited for?
Yoga, pilates, barre, reformer, walking, and low-impact training. Not optimized for sustained high-intensity output such as running or HIIT, where synthetic wicking fabrics manage peak sweat load more effectively.
Is the fabric OEKO-TEX certified?
The TENCEL Lyocell fiber holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification at the fiber level through Lenzing AG. Bellissima does not currently hold finished-product OEKO-TEX certification.
Sources
Lenzing AG. (2023). TENCEL Lyocell Fiber: Environmental Profile and Certifications. Lenzing AG Technical Documentation.
Browne, M.A., et al. (2016). Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: Sources and sinks. Environmental Science and Technology, 45(21), 9175–9179.
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