While you're stretching and doing your downward dog, it may occur to you just how important your yoga mat is. Not only does it keep you from slipping, but your yoga mat also keeps you comfortable and slightly cushioned. This is why choosing a yoga mat is such a big decision. For some, a sticky mat does not have the same spiritual connection to the environment as an eco-friendly yoga mat.
Difference In Mats
The difference between environmentally friendly yoga mats and your basic yoga mat is the material that is used to make the mat. The material in your basic sticky mat is polyvinyl chloride, more commonly known as PVC or vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride is a long-term pollutant, according to The-Eco-Market.com. In addition, the PVC must be treated with chemicals in order to make it softer. This is done by means of chemicals that are not only dangerous to humans but also have harmful effects on the enviroment.
Jute
Jute is an all-natural material that is used to make some environmentally friendly yoga mats. The jute plant is native to India and Bangladesh. This plant only grows for a four-month span that occurs before the rainy season. This is one reason why eco-friendly jute yoga mats are a bit more pricey than your basic sticky mat. This Indian plant is related to the hibiscus. These mats are usually lighter in weight than regular sticky mats. In addition, jute mats are one of the most natural, eco-friendly mats on the market.
Natural Rubber
Environmentally friendly yoga mats can also be made of a dry and open-celled type of natural rubber. Natural rubber is derived from tropical trees such as Hevea brasiliensis, which is located in the tropical Americas, including the southern part of South America. About 90 percent of the world's natural rubber comes from the East Indies, including the three countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. This product is biodegradable. If you have a latex allergy you should not use this particular type of mat since it is made from the latex of the trees.
Thermal Plastic Elastomer
Thermal plastic elastomer, also known as TPE, is free of latex, polyvinyl chloride and also chlorine. Thermal plastic elastomer mats are slip proof and moisure resistant. This reusable and recyclable material mixes elastomers and styrenic rubbers to create an environmentally friendly compound. Basically, this means that thermal plastic elastomers are a cross between rubber and plastic. According to the University of Southern Mississippi, reversible crosslinkage is what makes the product biodegradable.
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