Finding an eco friendly yoga mat can be a little confusing. There are a multitude of materials out there not too mention the advertising that is reinforcing different ideas at different times and how to keep up with it all. I’m here to give you basics about the whole thing and set you off in the right direction. You have two main choices for eco yoga mat materials. The first is rubber and the second is cotton.
Rubber is what you see most commonly for yoga mats today. Actually what you see is actually plastic but it has been made to perform just like rubber and offer the same support and function. Rubber is a great eco option as it offers support and durability while still being biodegradable and harm free to the environment. Rubber is a commodity that trades on world markets and can be in great demand at times.
eco friendly yoga mat
Because of this many developing nations are taking down their rain forests and putting in rubber plantations. This is a bit of a problem overall for the environment so be aware of where your rubber is sourced from and the practices of the company purchasing the rubber.
Another option, which is easy to find, and great to use is organic cotton. I say organic as regular cotton has its drawbacks in the realm of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, but organic offers a great choice. Cotton yoga mats are just one way to use this resource. You can also use cotton yoga mat carriers, cotton yoga pants and cotton tops. Cotton is simply great as it is breathable and absorbent.
So if you steer clear of the poorly produced items you will certainly have a green and eco yoga mat that will be good for your health and the environment.