They've also recently invented a plant foam made from 55% ethically sourced sugar cane. Topped with the same cork surface, you will find several options, including the Original, the Aura, and the Nomad, for a more sustainable yoga mat made from 70% renewable materials. Yoga Design Lab has not yet provided the exact location of where they source their manufacturing materials. We only know that their materials come from rubber trees, cork, and plastic bottles. They have three variables of eco mats: the Combo and Infinity mats, both made of natural tree rubber and recycled microfiber from plastic bottles. The Cork mats are made of—you guessed it— cork. Those are 100% biodegradable. They even have an ultra-thin mat, which makes it the perfect sustainable travel yoga mat. PVC alternatives that are touted as "toxic-free" are not any better. I touched on PER and TPE in the post, but let's break it down further.

The Manduka eKO series just makes the cut, though, because these mats are made with natural tree rubber, without the use of ‘harmful plasticizers’, and are manufactured in a zero-waste process (according to Manduka). All of Manduka’s rubber mats are said by the company to be free of toxic chemicals, dyes, and phthalates, made with rubber from sustainable sources, and manufactured using non-toxic foaming agents to make the rubber soft and pliable. These rubber mats are reinforced with a blend of polyester and cotton.

The grass is tropical and grows along the swamps and riversides, commonly found in the Deccan Indian region. It is an evergreen Perennial grass; its flowers, leaves, root, shoot, and stems are harvested and used. The fibers from this grass have been used to create these mats.

As well as full size Yoga Mats, we also have a complete range of portable and lightweight Travel Yoga Mats and smaller Yoga Pads, with the latter designed to complement our full size Yoga Mats. Keep an eye out for any mats that have our WH Lab Approved logo proudly displayed on their picture, as these items have all been given our resident PT and yoga expert’s seal of approval.I've highlighted some excellent alternatives to PVC in this post. A non-toxic yoga mat should be made of natural rubber, cotton, jute, or cork. These are all renewable resources that can be ethically manufactured. Natural rubber is still manufactured with chemicals but is way better than synthetic rubber. Some people do have allergies to rubber.

How regularly and how thoroughly you clean your yoga mat will depend on how often and how intensely you practice. For most people, it’s enough to clean your yoga mat once a week. This keeps stains at bay and prevents the build-up of bacteria and dirt. Follow manufacturers’ guidelines where given, and choose natural cleansers like lemon juice, dilute vinegar solution, or non-toxic dish soap to clean your mat. All their organic, eco-friendly yoga mats are SGS REACH certified. They are designed here in Canada but made in China under strict ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices. If you've ever laid on a yoga mat, you've probably smelt that synthetic odor that comes off it when your face is planted. That smell comes from PVC, a type of plastic known as polyvinyl chloride. The Urbivore is another fantastic ethical and sustainable yoga mat made in Canada. Founded by sisters Emily and Rebekah, these large sustainable, eco-friendly yoga mats are made from ethically sourced cork. If you want a non-slip, eco-friendly yoga mat, then Urbivore is the choice for you.Some mats are machine washable (rejoice!), in which case giving it a thorough clean is as easy as throwing it in the machine, putting it on a cold gentle cycle with mild detergent and air drying it afterwards. One downside with this mat is the potential for a lingering rubber smell. Airing the mat out (not in direct sunlight) and cleaning the mat can help, but it may still take weeks or months for the smell to dissipate, and the smell may transfer to your hands and body. Thankfully, the natural rubber smell is not as bad as that of synthetic rubber, but it does seem to be more of an issue with the Manduka eKO than with the Prolana Rubber and Wool Mat and with the Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Mat. The barrier to getting started in yoga is very low. All you need is patience, an open mind and a grippy, comfortable mat. No trees are harmed in manufacturing these eco yoga mats because the cork is harvested every 8-9 years from the regenerative bark of cork oak trees. The tree is never cut down and can live as long as 200 years. All in all, it’s good to be suspicious of ‘greenwashed’ products that incorporate recycled synthetic rubber or other materials. You might, however, make an exception if a manufacturer provides third-party test results and robust certifications for the final product. The most eco-friendly, sustainably-made, non-toxic yoga mats

The vegan top layer provides a fantastically grippy platform for all your high-energy, fast-paced sessions, yet the plush rubber base means it’s also the dream for slower, most focused sessions when you need some extra cushioning.The Roots mat offers a good balance between comfort and stability as it is firm but forgiving on the joints. Durability: Your yoga mat won’t have to withstand intense HIIT workouts or dropped dumbbells, but it should emerge unscathed from dynamic practice, without any rips or dents. There is a variety of yoga mats that suits every priority and preference. Besides colors and patterns, you can now choose from a variety of lengths, textures, and many different materials which makes it even harder to choose the perfect yoga mat for you. To make it short, you will need a mat that is comfortable, keeps you stable in your poses, and doesn’t slip during your workout.