Yoga mats made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, release dioxins into the environment, both during manufacturing and, if discarded with the trash, in landfills. Eco-friendly yoga mats provide an alternative to PVC mats, but finding the right mat depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. Options include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, plant fiber and thermal plastic elastomer yoga mats.
Natural Rubber
Made from the latex of rubber trees, natural rubber yoga mats are considered environmentally friendly because the material is both biodegradable and comes from a renewable resource. However, natural rubber contains a protein that triggers an allergic reaction in individuals with latex allergies. If you have a latex allergy, ConsumerReportsHealth.org suggests that you consider a synthetic latex-free rubber mat. Rubber mats tend to be heavy and have a distinct odor. If you plan to travel with your mat to yoga classes, the extra weight is definitely a consideration.
Have Mat, Will Travel
If you need a yoga mat that travels well, environmentally friendly alternatives include those made from plant fiber, such as jute, hemp and cotton. To ensure that your mat material was grown and harvested without the use of pesticides, ConsumerReportsHealth.org suggests that you look for one that's certified organic. Biodegradable and made from a renewable resource, plant fiber mats are lighter than natural rubber and can be composted when it's time for a new mat.
Plastic Mats
Mats made from thermal plastic elastomer look and feel more like traditional PVC mats than other eco-friendly options. Although this plastic provides a more environmentally-friendly alternative to PVC plastic mats, it may not be completely toxin free. To be sure a thermal plastic elastomer mat is toxin-free, check the label or contact the manufacturer to verify that no toxic materials were used in the production process.
Considerations
When you trade in your old yoga mat, consider recycling it, especially if it's made from PVC. When sent to landfills, these traditional yoga mats may leek dioxins into the soil. Regardless of which type of mat you used last, yoga mat recycling programs can donate used mats to community fitness programs or reuse the material to make other products.
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