Yoga is all about connecting your mind and body – it makes sense to connect to the earth at the same time. The original Yogis were not using yoga mats containing toxic substances, so why should we? We’ve put together a small list of non-toxic, eco-friendly yoga mats so you can practice yoga sustainably.
A large number of yoga mats sold today are made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Known as one of the most toxic consumer plastics on the market, PVC rarely gets recycled and can release a carcinogen when incinerated or left in a landfill. In addition, PVC often contains lead, which can have horrible effects on our health. This is why it’s important to look into non-toxic and eco-friendly yoga mats – luckily we’ve done that for you.
Seeka Yoga for a Variety of Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats
This small, eco-conscious Californian start-up has one goal in mind: to provide high quality, environmentally friendly fitness gear. They sell biodegradable sustainable yoga mats made from cork, jute, natural rubber, and vegan suede. Seeka Yoga works with individual artists to make custom designs for their yoga mats, allowing them to support other small businesses in their community.
Part of Seeka Yoga’s business model is 1Mat1Tree, meaning they contribute to reforestation projects around the globe by planting one tree for every yoga mat sold.
Depending on size, material, and design, you’ll pay anywhere between $39 – $89. You can find them directly through Seeka Yoga, or on Amazon.**
Sustainable Yoga Mats from GenYOUine
This small Canadian start-up has quite a lot going for it. These sustainable (and biodegradable) yoga mats are made from sustainably harvested natural substances: cork and rubber! On top of that, they use water-based inks, recycled fabrics for the straps, and zero plastic, which makes their yoga mats non-toxic.
Another great feature of GenYOUine is their recycling program. They accept old synthetic yoga mats to ensure they are properly disposed of, plus they’ll give you 10% off your next purchase. They also donate 12% of their profits to a different charity each year.
Their antimicrobial eco-friendly yoga mats range in price from $55 – $100 (USD) depending on the style. An added bonus is that all mats come with a 30-day guarantee and a one year warranty. Available for purchase directly through the GenYOUine website.
Recycled Wetsuit Yoga Mats by SugaMats
A unique blend of the Californian Surf and Yoga worlds (hence the name Suga), this company started as a way to keep wetsuits out of the landfills. Their American-made eco-friendly yoga mats are produced out of 100% recycled neoprene, and you even get a 10% discount if you donate your old wetsuit.
They created their Cradle to Grave (C2G) program which enables customers to send their old SugaMat back for recycling and get a brand new one, no questions asked. SugaMats prides themselves on creating a recyclable product out of recycled materials.
Their yoga mats range in price from $64 – $99 depending on the size. Available for purchase directly through SugaMat or on Amazon**
Liforme’s Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats
Liforme’s sustainable yoga mats have a natural rubber base with an eco polyurethane top layer, meaning they’re PVC free and will biodegrade in 1-5 years. The two features their customer base loves best are the incredible grip they have and the etched-in alignment guide.
The London-based company ships worldwide, which definitely adds to the carbon footprint of their product. They have, however, taken the initiative to join carbon neutral shipping programs. Additionally, purchasing through this company supports charities around the world including Friends of the Earth and Yoga Gives Back.
These non-toxic yoga mats range in price from $115 – $185 depending on size and design. You can also bundle them and get both a regular and travel-sized mat for $215. Find them through Liforme or on Amazon**
Öko Living: Handmade Non-Toxic Yoga Mats
Öko Living is a Portland-based company which sells traditional-style sutainable yoga mats that are hand-loomed in India. Made of organic cotton and hand-dyed with medicinal herbs like turmeric and basil, they have a sweet but subtle scent.
Healthy working conditions and fair wages for their workers are a definite advantage. However, the distance these mats have to travel is a downside.
There’s no doubt these are the most aesthetically pleasing of our choices, but that beauty comes with a price: Öko Living’s eco-friendly yoga mats range in price from $174 – $188 depending on the color. You can find them on the Öko Living website.
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