Eco-friendly yoga mats - Importance of using & how to choose the right one

It is rare for anyone not to own a yoga mat these days! I am glad health is getting its due importance in today's era! Being fit is gaining momentum!

When I started exercising regularly around ten years ago, I just went out there and bought the cheapest mat available. Back then, it did not matter what material, the grip, etc. I just needed to buy some soft base to work out on. It would smell horrible and start to flake out within some time, but I never understood its awful repercussions.

Only when I started an eco-friendly lifestyle, I realized the importance of choosing the suitable material for the yoga mat. Although it is called a yoga mat, we use it for all kinds of exercises, from aerobics to pilates and many more exercise forms that exist today.

When you plan to buy a yoga mat, the essential aspect is the material used to make it. Unknowingly through these mats, you will inhale unwanted toxic chemicals while exercising, which can slowly do more harm than good.

First I bought a very expensive rubber mat from a sports Shop. It flaunted being eco-friendly & made of natural rubber. But the issue was it was painted with toxic dyes, and eventually, after each use, the mat broke down and left some powder residue behind. Also, I could inhale Strong smells from the mat each time I exercised. I, too, fell for these marketing gimmicks. I made the wrong choice. When I researched more, I discovered many things I did not know.??

You will understand why it was a wrong choice later in this article.

Commercial yoga mats are typically made of various materials, including rubber, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), cork, natural fibers such as cotton or jute, and many other materials. The chemicals found in a commercial yoga mat can vary depending on the material it is made from.

PVC MATS

Many people want to invest less in a yoga mat and tend to buy the cheapest, usually a PVC mat. PVC yoga mats, which are very cheap and commonly used in yoga studios and gyms, may contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, which are used to make the material more flexible. Phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to various health problems.

When people use PVC yoga mats, they may come into contact with phthalates through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. Inhalation of phthalates can occur when the mat gets heated during a yoga practice, which can cause the phthalates to be released into the air and inhaled.

Phthalates can lead to many health problems, including infertility, obesity, and diabetes. Phthalates also cause developmental and reproductive toxicity, and some studies have suggested a link between phthalate exposure and cancer.

While the health risks associated with phthalate exposure are still being studied, avoiding products that contain phthalates whenever possible is generally recommended.

And to say the least, PVC mats should be kept out of reach of children.

NATURAL RUBBER MATS?

Natural Rubber yoga mats can be a good alternative to PVC mats for some people, but they may not suit everyone's needs.

People with latex allergies should avoid using rubber mats. Rubber mats made from natural rubber can cause allergic reactions in some people. Some rubber mats may also have a strong odor that can be difficult to eliminate.

While rubber mats are generally considered more eco-friendly than PVC mats, they are not without environmental issues. Natural rubber production can be resource-intensive, and rubber plantations have been linked to deforestation and other environmental problems. Rubber is associated with deforestation because it is primarily sourced from rubber trees native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions. To meet the global demand for natural rubber, large forest areas have been cleared to make way for rubber plantations. The destruction of forests also has social impacts, as it often displaces indigenous communities and destroys their traditional way of life. To address these issues, there has been a growing movement towards sustainable rubber production, which seeks to minimize the environmental and social impacts of rubber plantations.

Natural rubber mats are made from rubber tree sap, which is harvested and processed using various techniques.

The chemicals used in natural rubber mats can vary depending on the type of rubber and the manufacturing process. The chemicals used in rubber mats may include Vulcanizing agents, Accelerators, Fillers, Stabilizers, etc. These chemicals give them a strong odor that might make using them uncomfortable. They may also be treated with toxic synthetic colors that, when inhaled, can be dangerous for our health and, on breaking down, release microplastics into the environment.

We must carefully differentiate between a Natural and a synthetic rubber mat.

SYNTHETIC RUBBER MATS

Synthetic rubber mats are made from petroleum-based materials, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). These materials are derived from crude oil and are not biodegradable, which means they will stay in the environment for a long time.

SBR is a synthetic rubber commonly used in manufacturing yoga mats because of its durability and non-slip properties. However, SBR can contain harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and may release these chemicals during use or disposal, contributing to environmental pollution and potentially harming human health.

EVA is another petroleum-based material used in the production of yoga mats. EVA foam is lightweight, flexible, and offers excellent shock absorption properties. However, EVA is not biodegradable, and the production process involves using toxic chemicals like ethylene oxide and vinyl acetate, which can pose a risk to human health and the environment.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE WHEN CHOOSING A NATURAL RUBBER MAT

It's important to note that some natural rubber mats may contain potentially harmful chemicals. When choosing a rubber mat, it's a good idea to look for products certified as free of toxic substances, such as those that comply with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

It's worth noting that the specific methods used to harvest and process natural rubber can vary depending on the region and the manufacturer. Some manufacturers may use more sustainable ways, such as agroforestry or organic farming. In contrast, others may rely on more conventional methods that significantly impact the environment. When choosing a natural rubber yoga mat, it's also essential to look for products certified as sustainable or eco-friendly with certifications from organizations such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Rainforest Alliance.

So now you see, I only checked for some of these criteria when I bought the mat. The bright blue color of the mat looked attractive, but unfortunately, it had some synthetic coating which smelled horrible, and the powder released microplastics into the environment!

CORK MATS

Another option is Cork mats, Cork mats are generally considered to be an eco-friendly option for yoga mats. Cork is a renewable and sustainable material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, primarily grown in Portugal and Spain. Cork harvesting does not harm the tree, as only the outer layer of bark is removed, and the tree regenerates the bark naturally over time.

Cork is also biodegradable and recyclable. Additionally, cork has natural antimicrobial properties, so it can prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi on the mat's surface.

Cork is naturally grippy and provides a stable surface for practicing yoga poses. It is also cushioned and comfortable to stand on, which can help to reduce the risk of injury.

However, it's worth noting that not all cork mats are created equal, and some may contain additional materials or chemicals that can affect their sustainability or safety.?

When choosing a cork mat, looking for products certified as eco-friendly by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Rainforest Alliance is essential. It's also recommended to read product labels carefully and avoid mats that contain harmful chemicals or materials.

Cork mats with a rubber layer may still be eco-friendly, depending on the rubber used and the manufacturing process. Some cork mats have a natural rubber backing that is made from the sap of rubber trees, a renewable and sustainable material. Other mats may have synthetic rubber backing made from petroleum-based materials and have a more significant environmental impact.

100% cork mats or cork mats with a natural rubber layer can be a good eco-friendly option.

Now coming to my favorite option in yoga mats. This is what I have settled for after researching and scouring the markets! An organic cotton yoga mat dyed with natural plant-based colors, and it has a coat of natural rubber sap or latex at the bottom, which makes it 100% slip-resistant :)

ORGANIC COTTON MATS

Organic cotton mats are sustainable for several reasons. Firstly, organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. It implies that the production of organic cotton does not contribute to the pollution of soil and water sources, and it is better for the health of farmers and workers involved in its production. Additionally, organic cotton farming practices help to conserve soil fertility and promote biodiversity.

Organic cotton mats are biodegradable, meaning they can break down naturally in the environment. Organic cotton mats are unlike many synthetic yoga mats, which can release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere and take hundreds of years to decompose.

You can support sustainable and ethical farming practices by purchasing organic cotton mats. It can help to support small-scale farmers and reduce the demand for environmentally harmful materials like PVC.

Choosing Organic cotton mats dyed using natural and non-toxic dyes is safer for the environment and human health. Natural dyes are derived from plant sources like indigo, madder root, and turmeric, and they do not contain the harmful chemicals often found in synthetic dyes.

However, synthetic dyes may be used for coloring organic cotton mats, and they pose a threat to the environment and human health. Synthetic dyes are often made from petrochemicals, which can harm the environment during manufacturing and release harmful chemicals into the environment when disposed of.

Furthermore, synthetic dyes may expose workers involved in the dyeing process to harmful chemicals and pollutants, leading to health problems like skin irritation, respiratory issues, and even cancer.

To minimize the impact of synthetic dyes, if you have such options available near you, it is best to choose organic cotton mats that are colored using non-toxic dyes or natural plant-based dyes.

In addition to being a sustainable choice, organic cotton mats are soft and comfortable. So they make an excellent choice for people who prefer a gentler surface for their practice. Cotton mats are also absorbent, which means they can soak up sweat and moisture during practice.

Always opt for Organic cotton mats with a coat of natural latex at the bottom so they are slip-proof.

To conclude, when choosing a yoga mat for your exercise, give more importance to the material and comfort than its price. Genuine Eco-friendly mats are expensive but worth the investment in the long run for good health and a clean environment.

This content was first produced as a podcast on The Eco Sheroes podcast; you can listen to it here.