Are yoga mats bad for the environment?

This is a question I didn't even think to ask myself two years ago.

I had no idea how horrible for the environment most yoga mats are, and I found out the mat I had been using for years is made out of toxic materials that I'd been breathing into my lungs every day. 

This article will focus on breaking down the differences between various yoga mat materials and their environmental impacts. 

Ultimately, cork yoga mats are the most sustainable mat available. Check out the article below to learn why. 

Article Summary

Based on my review of various articles (see sources below) these are my conclusions:

• PVC mats are the absolute worst mats for the environment: These are the super cheap mats you can even find at some dollar stores (like Dollarama). They are made of the lowest grade materials, they deteriorate quickly, and worst of all they are insanely bad for the environment. Breathing in the toxic chemicals that the PVC mats release can be really horrible too -  these chemicals can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness, nasal irritation, allergic reactions, neurological problems, liver and kidney damage, cancer, and possibly even fertility problems and miscarriage. 
• TPE mats are a bit better than PVC, but still not great: TPE is still made out of plastics/rubbers (polymers), but because TPE is a mixture of these materials it's hard to even say what type of chemicals are in them. The manufacturing of TPE mats produces a large carbon footprint. 
• Cotton mats seem environmental, but they aren't actually the best: The production of cotton has a high environmental impact due to the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and the use of huge amounts of water.
• Natural rubber mats are good, synthetic rubber... not so much: Natural rubber comes from rubber trees, so as long as it is sustainably sourced, it is eco-friendly. Synthetic rubber leaves a prominent carbon footprint because it does not come from rubber trees and is synthetically manufactured. Synthetic rubbers are polymers synthesized from petroleum byproducts. 
• Natural cork mats are the best option for the environment: Cork is an inherently sustainable resource - it is both renewable and biodegradable. The cork oak tree is unique in that its thick bark can be stripped off every decade to extract the cork without damaging the trees. Natural rubber pairs well with cork since it helps with durability and density. A yoga mat with a thin layer of cork on top and a thick layer of natural rubber on the bottom is the best option for durability, environmental impact, and overall mat quality. 
• RECOMMENDATION: Get a Zenful Yoga cork+rubber yoga mat. Our mats are forest stewardship council certified which is a certification that signifies our mats have been made using sustainable practices and materials. You can learn more about our mission and story on our website here.

Product Comparison:

PVC (Poly-Vinyl Chloride) yoga mat	Lowest cost mat available (this is the mat most people have) Material isn’t eco-friendly. You cannot recycle the PVC yoga mat. The mat releases toxic chemicals when being manufactured (that "new yoga mat" smell is the result of these chemicals) Chemicals such as volatile oil compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are emitted as a breathable gas from PVC yoga mats. These chemicals can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness, nasal irritation, allergic reactions, neurological problems, liver and kidney damage, cancer, and possibly even fertility problems and miscarriage.
TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer) yoga mat	The material is less harmful to the environment than PVC yoga mat materials.  While it contains no PVC or latex, it’s still manufactured using heat and chemical processes TPE yoga mats with open cells can dry out after some time. TPE is a blend of undisclosed synthetic materials that have not been proven safe and could contain human carcinogens.  Has a large carbon footprint
Cotton/Jute yoga mat	The production of cotton has a high environmental impact due to the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and the use of huge amounts of water. Jute is a rain-fed crop with little need for fertilizer or pesticide, in contrast to cotton’s heavy requirements Cotton and jute are biodegradable and natural resources The natural fibres can be a bit coarse to the skin
Rubber yoga mat	Natural rubber: Made from natural materials (comes from rubber trees) - as long as it is sustainably sourced, it is eco-friendly Balanced density - it isn’t too hard, yet not too soft. If you are sensitive to latex, there is a risk of an allergic reaction. It is very heavy Synthetic rubber: Synthetic rubber (NBR) has high performance and durability but leaves a prominent carbon footprint (it does not come from rubber trees, synthetic rubbers are polymers synthesized from petroleum byproducts)
Cork + Rubber yoga mat	Cork is an inherently sustainable resource - it is both renewable and biodegradable. The cork oak tree is unique in that its thick bark can be stripped off every decade to extract the cork without damaging the trees, which can live 170 to 250 years on average Cork provides naturally good grip that improves as it absorbs moisture Naturally antimicrobial and easy to keep clean Natural rubber pairs well with cork since it helps with durability and density Non-toxic, no chemicals Learn more

Sources and additional resources:

• https://beinks.com/different-yoga-mat-materials/?v=3e8d115eb4b3#2_TPE_Yoga_Mat
• https://alexlarryngton.com/how-to-choose-a-yoga-mat-material-pros-cons/
• https://branded.disruptsports.com/blogs/blog/tpe-vs-pvc-vs-rubber
• https://www.leafscore.com/eco-friendly-fitness-products/chemicals-in-yoga-mats/
• https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/eco-friendly-yoga-mats-safe-or-toxic/ 

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on the differences in mat materials? Do you think corporations should be responsible to list the environmental impact of the materials they use? Let us know what you think in the comments below: