Health trends are great but usually it's only a matter of time before we're reminded that nothing is too good to be true! Take plant-based milk, for example. Many switched to plant-based milk to reduce cow milk consumption and it became so quickly popular that you could find it in all coffee shops and grocery isles. But if you dig a little deeper, you'll find that many of the plant milks contain high levels of emulsifiers, which can lead to negative health effects. Consider bottled water which has been popular for so many decades and only recently has been under scrutiny for containing dangerously high levels of microplastics. So, what about exercise? It’s commonly viewed as the ultimate health booster, but it also has its downsides. A lot of the workout clothes and exercise equipment that we use today are full of toxic chemicals commonly found in plastic, that are readily absorbed by hot and sweaty skin.
Navigating the health landscape can start to feel overwhelming when we find out that a seemingly healthy decision has a caveat. Usually there's always a solution though, given that you're open to it. Take plant based milk, for example. It's still a great option for your health but to avoid emulsifiers, you can easily make your own at home! Plastic water bottles became popular when people learned about the importance of hydration, so you don't have to stop having water on the go - you can use high quality, food grade stainless steel refillable water bottles instead! When it comes down to workout equipment, it can also be hard to know what to buy and even harder to find healthy options. If you're someone who's into yoga and pilates, this is the perfect moment to learn more about what materials to look for in healthy and sustainable yoga mats and what to stay away from!
PVC
PVC yoga mats have numerous health and environmental consequences. They are made of a type of plastic that contains forever chemicals and these forever chemicals are readily absorbed by the skin, which can lead to cancer. They’re also made of fossil fuels which causes tons of pollution that impacts our air quality, leading to respiratory issues and also contributes to global warming. The heavy metals present in PVC mats, like lead and cadmium can also harm wildlife, especially marine life and birds that ingest the plastic chemicals. Last but not least, they also are a source of microplastics.
Just like water bottles PVC breaks down into microplastics over hundreds of years because it never biodegrades. We ingest millions of micro particles annually from this type of pollution which can settle into our lungs and cause inflammation and respiratory issues. There's ongoing research finding direct links between microplastics and decreased sperm quality, and it's even being found in the womb, and other organs! Our hormones are also deeply impacted, as it disrupts our endocrine system, which leads to thyroid issues, and all kinds of toxicities.
Clearly, PVC is currently getting a really bad rap but as humans, we can be very inventive - so who knows, maybe one day we'll have solutions for all that plastic! There is ongoing research about how to turn PVC into materials that can actually help clean our water by removing heavy metals. Until then, if you do have a plastic mat, one of the best things you can do is look for a specialized recycling facility to give it a second life.
What about the performance of PVC yoga mats? They became popular for having good cushioning and support for the joints, and being easy to clean since they don’t absorb sweat! The downside is that they have a closed-cell design that makes them super slippery when wet. While it’s unlikely for the performance benefits to outweigh the costs to your health and the environment, you can also find other options!
Rubber
Rubber yoga mats are considered a top contender for plastic since they tend to be healthier to use and can also provide excellent padding! There are different types of rubber though, so it’s worth considering them. The two main types of rubber are synthetic and natural, and you can find even more options, like rubber combined with other materials and certified rubbers. Different kinds of rubber yoga mats impact health and performance depending on the way that they’re made!
So, what is synthetic rubber? It’s made of fossil fuels and when synthetic rubber is made, it releases a high level of VOCs-volatile organic compounds-into the atmosphere. These odorless gases are known carcinogens, and they contribute to air pollution. This not only impacts workers but can also be released into your home when you get the mat. Carbon dioxide is also released when it’s made, which is a the main contributor to global warming.
Do synthetic rubber and natural rubber have anything in common? Yes, they both go through a process called vulcanization to achieve the durable properties we want for things like yoga mats. Unfortunately, this process does involve adding chemicals, which can be toxic, especially for the people working in factories.
Another issue with rubber is that neither natural or synthetic rubber biodegrade super easily because they’re both made of polymers. This means that they tend to stick in landfills for a really long time, like hundreds of years! There are however certain organisms that can help breakdown rubber under a specific set of conditions like temperature however its uncertain that this will necessarily occur in all landfills that contain rubber. The good news is that natural rubber is way more likely to biodegrade, especially if it has an SGS certification that limits chemical processing during manufacturing.
With all that being said - rubber is one of those materials that’s everywhere and its production is only increasing! There are some pretty significant environmental drawbacks to this, like synthetic rubber’s cancer-causing VOC’s, air pollution, and global warming, and one major issue with natural rubber. There are only a few tropical regions where rubber trees can actually thrive-mainly in South America and Asia-and these trees are pretty vulnerable to diseases, so natural rubber can struggle to keep up with demand. It’s also linked to deforestation and a loss of biodiversity because it’s grown and harvested as a cash crop in areas that are already vulnerable. That means that other trees and habitation are lost to natural rubber trees and this destroys the homes of all kinds of wildlife and destroys a self-sustaining eco-system.
So, how do know if you’re getting natural rubber or the synthetic kind? Always check the product description! If it doesn’t say “natural” then there’s a good chance it’s synthetic, especially if the price seems discounted. It may be tricky to tell the difference between natural rubber and synthetic rubber once you actually get it but generally synthetic rubber will have a stronger chemical smell. If your mat has a very milder scent, you’ve likely got a natural rubber mat on your hands. You might also want to consider certifications, like SGS since they have stricter product safety standards that limit exposure to chemicals and may leave your new mat with a much softer scent. If you have to thoroughly air out your home upon getting a new yoga mat, you can be sure that it’s full of harsh chemicals, even if it is natural rubber.
While rubber has been touted as a big step up from plastic mats, especially when you opt for SGS-certified natural rubber, however always be wary of the downsides. Always read the labels to be sure about what your getting since rubber can be used as an umbrella term that may be less healthy than you think. Try to buy fewer synthetic rubber items and always look for recycled materials that can reduce the amount of natural rubber needed to make your healthy yoga mat.
As a side note, the largest rubber production is not for making yoga mats but for the automotive industry and car tires. So, if you’ve been inspired to make an impact, driving less or recycling your tires is a great first step. Many places that sell tires will also take them back for recycling and in some of the United States it’s actually required by law.
Cork
Let’s talk about cork yoga mats! While they might have a little more hardness compared to PVC and rubber mats, they offer some fantastic benefits, and when made with a high-quality, thick natural rubber base, they can actually be incredibly comfortable. Cork is also pretty eco-friendly; made from the bark of the Cork Oak tree found in Europe and Africa, it is carefully harvested from tree bark, which doesn’t kill the tree and can grow back in less than 10 years!
Cork can also be made with natural binders, or heat pressed, so if you’re someone with chemical sensitivities it can feel much better to use a cork mat, and is much safer for hot practice. This material also doesn’t require pesticides to grow, making it naturally organic! It’s easy to notice when you’re practicing how soft and comfortable it feels.
The environmental impact of cork is similar to natural rubber, since it’s also a cash crop. However, there is currently far less cork manufactured than natural rubber, and there would even be a much smaller ratio of cork to natural rubber on your yoga mat, specifically. Cork is 100% biodegradable which is another great environmental benefit however it’s also one of the reasons that these mats expire. If you keep your cork mat long enough, it could biodegrade whereas a rubber mat will be more likely to expire for other reasons, like bad smell or discoloration.
One of the most standout features of cork mats their performance. They channel sweat away, making them feel clean and actually improving grip with a little bit of moisture. It’s believed that there’s some special compounds in cork that are responsible for this impressive traction. While we don’t have a ton of research pinpointing exactly how cork does its magic, we do know it contains lignan, which acts like a natural adhesive, and suberin, a waxy substance that’s sticky. So, whatever it is, cork yoga mats grip to your sweaty palms in hot yoga and hot pilates like glue. While there’s not tons of research yet. you’ll appreciate how well these mats hold on to you and make you feel supported in your practice!
One last cool fact about cork yoga mats is that they’re naturally antimicrobial, which fights off a variety of harmful bacteria and fungi! This is pretty great for your practice since the skin has its own a microbiome that can sometimes lead to an increase in bad bacteria, especially depending on diet and lifestyle. So, when we sweat during workouts, that moisture can get on clothes and exercise gear and then builds up over time! But with a cork yoga mat it’s much less likely to ever grow out of control and smell bad. A good rule of thumb is to use a high quality cleaning solution like vinegar and water, and then allow the cork mat to air out when wet to let its natural antimicrobial action take effect!
Hemp
Hemp is making waves as a sustainable and biodegradable yoga mat option! Similar to cork, you’ll never find it on its own, rather with a plastic or rubber base. This plant grows quickly and requires little water, and fewer pesticides, making it naturally organic! Hemp mats are also naturally antimicrobial and durable, and tend to be remarkably comfortable over any uneven and soft terrain like grass and sand, making them the go-to yoga mat for the outdoors!
While hemp mats are superior to all others for outdoor practice, they are not the best to use inside. They do not grip the same and they are not as comfortable on a hard surface. So, you’ll definitely want to reserve this mat for the beach!
Cotton
You can get a cotton yoga mat which can be another sustainable and healthy choice however for practical purposes most people don’t use one. It’s unlikely to be anti-slip, easily moving out of place and it does not have great grip. Cotton towels, to use as covers for your yoga mat, are very popular since they can absorb moisture and are easy to clean. If you are in the market for a cotton towel, look for organic cotton since it will have the least amount chemicals for your practice and the environment. Cotton also biodegrades just like most other natural materials.
Other Plastics
We've really dug deep into the topic of yoga mats, starting with the biggest culprits—PVC and synthetic rubber. and then some healthier options like natural rubber, cork, hemp, and cotton. But there's even more plastic yoga mats that we didn't cover, like PU, EVA foam, TPE, polyester, and PER. Not all of these plastics are as toxic as PVC and some of them are even food safe, however some others are still pretty bad for you. It may be worth researching further if you ever find a plastic yoga mat that you really love! Always keep in mind that even if your plastic mat is safe to use, it still contributes to pollution and microplastics, so hopefully it’s only present in small amounts. As technology improves, we may also be able to biodegrade plastic and synthetic rubber, so continue to stay up-to-date or look for alternatives and remember that recycled content is a green flag!
Final
As if getting into yoga and pilates wasn’t complicated enough without all of the health and environmental concerns that come into the picture when you buy your yoga mat. You cannot always find the perfect mat that is equally great to use and equally as good for the environment and healthy, however you can usually find a happy middle when you know what to look for. Knowledge is power, so use it for your practice, your health, and the world around you, to become the best possible version of yourself!
Crk’s most recommended mat
We love our cork and recycled natural rubber yoga mats for their safety, sustainability, and practical purposes. These mats are biodegradable, ultra low in chemicals, and SGS certified! The cork feels amazing to use, especially for hot yoga and hot pilates, offering that perfect combo of grip and comfort. Explore our cork mats today! ✨
