In light of the recent devastation in Australia’s bushfires, it seems appropriate to discuss the ways we incorporate sustainability and environmentally friendly practices here at BECYCLE. Sustainability is one of our core values, and we know that with a few simple but effective changes in day-to-day habits, going “green” is easier than you think.

As you know, we partner with My Goodness, an organic and plant based cafe. U.N. experts have completed studies and concluded that plant-based diets can help fight climate change, as less land and water is required to feed the population when meat is not consumed, and fewer greenhouse gases are emitted. Every time you grab a bite to eat at My Goodness, you are taking care of yourself and looking out for our planet.

The products we provide in studio are also eco-friendly. The Scrummi sweat towels are biodegradable and vegan, and the mat wipes in the REFINE room are biodegradable and plastic-free. We offer reusable water bottles to rent rather than selling single use plastic ones, and our showers turn off automatically to remind us of water usage.

Read on to find out more ways we keep the environment in mind, and how you can make some sustainable swaps when it comes to all things fitness…

1. First things first: nutrition!

Pre- and post- workout meals are super important when it comes to giving your body the fuel it needs. But unfortunately many snacks and protein bars come wrapped in plastic packaging, and while perhaps convenient, contribute to pollution in our oceans and micro waste that never decomposes.

What we do at BECYCLE: In addition to our partnership with delicious and organic My Goodness, we recently started selling Daluma juices. These are 100% cold pressed meaning they contain the highest level of enzymes, vitamins and minerals, making them a great go-to for a pre or post workout pick-me-up. At first glance they might look as if they are packaged in plastic bottles, but these are actually produced from 100% compostable plant-based materials! Bonus: you can return the bottles to Daluma and receive the bottle deposit.

What you can do at home: In order to stock up on necessary grocery items to get you through your workouts, consider shopping in bulk at one of the unpackaged goods stores here in Berlin. Original Unverpackt with two locations in Kreuzberg and Der Sache Wegen in Prenzlauer Berg, are two organic, bulk grocery stores where you simply bring your own containers and fill up on everything like nuts, grains, and seeds to get you refuelled after a intense RIDE or REFINE class.

If you have a favourite snack bar or treat, why not try making it yourself? It is often healthier this way too, as you can choose the quality and quantity of the ingredients used. Store them in a beeswax wrap or glass tupperware and save on plastic packaging too.

2. Another way to consider the environment in terms of your fitness lifestyle is through sustainable cosmetics.

How many shampoo bottles do you think you have used in your lifetime? Most skin and haircare products contribute to regular plastic waste. As much as we love our sweaty workouts, we understand how quickly it is to run through products when we’re showering or washing our hair more often.

What We Do at BECYCLE: The shampoo and soap you find in our showers is from Susanne Kaufmann, a certified organic and cult-clean beauty brand made in Germany and Austria. The brand’s bottles are made from recycled plastic and we cut down on waste by refilling the dispensers from our bulk containers.

What You Can Do at Home: Try using a shampoo bar instead of purchasing the plastic bottles that are commonly used. Shampoo bars work the exact same way as the liquid version and are a great sustainable alternative. Try out Savion shampoo bars - they are sustainably produced, packaged, and delivered with DHL gogreen. Original Unverpackt also sells shampoo in bulk, so if you’re a fan of the liquid version just bring your empty bottles there instead of having to buy new ones!

3. Eco- friendly laundry practices are also a good way to reduce negative environmental impact.

We know our classes get hot and sweaty (but that’s what you come for!) and with the sweat comes lots of laundry…

What we do at BECYCLE: In an effort to preserve resources when washing, we have opted for Scrummi towels as sweat towels and Eco by Naty disinfectant wipes which are both 100% biodegradable. For our shower towels, we have a one towel per person policy to cut down on laundry quantities.

What you can do at home: Consider using an organic laundry detergent with fewer chemicals - fewer chemicals means reduced environmental harm. We developed Care No. 1, our own BECYCLE detergent that especially targets unwanted odours from smelly workout clothes so your favourite leggings or shorts are always fresh for your next class. It also comes in a 100% recyclable bottle (win-win). Other brands such as Sonett, Ecover, and Sodasan can be found at most supermarkets and drugstores. At the unpackaged grocery stores mentioned above you can also purchase eco friendly laundry detergent from their bulk containers.

We try to do our best here at BECYCLE by always keeping sustainability in mind, and hope these tips help you consider the environment in all of your fitness-related activities!

Article written by Dinah Gordon - BECYCLE Front of House Manager.

Going "Green" Is Easier Than You Think