Does a recycled yoga mat exist?
To know what to choose between a recycled yoga matone with a non-toxic compositionone made from biodegradable materials or one that is recyclable it is not always obvious. We have therefore prepared this article to help you make the right choice. best choice of ecological yoga mat.
Nowadays, carpets are more and more made from ecological materials such as recyclable tpe (Yogom: Yomad carpet), biodegradable natural rubber (Performances and Stars carpets), oekotex wool (Wool carpets) but very few are recyclable. At Yogom, only the cork carpet is made with recycled rubber in Portugal. There are also yoga mats made of non-toxic PVC, but we have decided not to manufacture this type of mat because PVC even non-toxic is not recycled whereas TPE is and has better technical performances.
It is true that an eco-responsible carpet is a little more expensive than a classic plastic model, but this second model will come from China. In addition, the durability of an eco-friendly design will change quickly as these rugs are often considered “living”. That is to say that by dint of use they will become more and more adherent. These components are more durable. And you’ll quickly realize this by observing the rubbery smell coming from natural rubber mats that fades over time.
These are models on which no chemical additives or no chemical additives or toxic glues are added. They are therefore eco-responsible carpet and some are completely biodegradable or recyclable.
WHY AVOID PLASTIC CARPETS
Most of the time, classic yoga mats are made of made from very cheap plasticPVC, a thermoplastic polymer. It is a material made from petroleum, which has been made flexible by phthalates. A family of chemicals that allow the plastic to be flexible and resistant but the disadvantage is that they are very bad for health and nature. They are known to hormonally disrupt our health, i.e. to impact the development of reproduction and immunity for example. Moreover, they are not not recyclable which means that when they are burned, all the chemicals in these carpets end up in the air, in the seas, lands and in the air, in the seas, lands and oceans and then by logic in our food directly affecting our health. It is therefore a material to be avoided, but note that some PVC carpets are certified “non-toxic”. Even though we know they exist, we have made the decision not to manufacture this type of carpet even though it is non-toxic, it is not recyclable, whereas thermoplastic elastomer is and has better technical performance.
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY CHOOSING AN ECOLOGICAL CARPET
Obviously, choosing an ecological carpet is a way to protect nature by realizing that men pollute and have polluted enormously in recent years. Yoga is a discipline that aims to find relaxation and well-being and for this our atmosphere is key. That is why, in order to align ourselves with a philosophy of relaxation, we must have actions that are in the direction of the preservation of our environment to be in harmony with it.
The “classic” yoga mats that are usually found in the shops are made of synthetic materials from synthetic materials from the chemical industry of petroleum derivativesa very polluting and toxic industry for the planet.
Yoga mats that respect nature are made in such a way so that they are biodegradable. Some models are made with recycled and recycled and recyclable materials which reduce the exploitation of natural materials. A way to contribute to a cleaner and more respectful planet!
THE RESISTANCE OF CARPETS MADE OF RECYCLABLE OR RECYCLED MATERIALS
The so-called “classic” carpets often do not last in time. The more the years go by, the more they get damaged and lose their firmness which is not only unpleasant to practice but also dangerous for the body.
Natural materials are stronger and more resistant. An “eco-friendly” mat will certainly be a little more expensive but will have the advantage of ensuring a more pleasant practice for a longer period of time since it will last much longer. The resistance in time and in the fit of the carpet is very important for your comfort daily comfort.
NATURAL OR RECYCLED RUBBER
THE LIEGE
At the environmental level, cork is perfect because it comes from the bark of a tree that grows exclusively on the Mediterranean border: the cork oak.
It is not necessary to cut down the oaks to collect the cork, and the cork is collected on average every 9 years to give the tree time to regenerate. Each year 300,000 tons of cork are extracted (half of which is in Portugal)!
The forests where it is made are known to be carbon absorbent because cork continues to hold carbon until it is incinerated.
THE YOMAD RECYCLABLE CARPET
A YOMAD mat is thick and prevents slipping, it combines comfort and quality! It is an eco-friendly and comfortable mat with a thickness of 6mm, ideal for beginners.
Its density is very comfortable and cushioning for the joints and it is anti-slip if you do not sweat or little. This yoga mat is reversible, its foam touch is soft but remains dense. Very important to note, it is a non-toxic and latex-free mat, no more PVC that sticks and smells like plastic during your sessions!
The Yomad yoga mat has an excellent quality / price ratio (from 39 euros to 59 euros). And we offer you free delivery for a certain amount of money or more with a carrying strap to equip you!
It is made from an ecological, recyclable and non-toxic material (thermoplastic elastomer without latex or rubber) to respect nature and your needs in the practice of yoga. To learn more about the TPE and certifications of Yogom yoga mats click here.
Discover the guide of the YOMAD range .
The recycled cork carpet
This is the perfect cork yoga mat if you’re looking for a slip-proof mat with an eco-friendly design! It is produced in Europe, with natural and recycled materials (cork and natural rubber and no PVC), it is certified vegan.
It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly carpet. Its lightness, softness, and non-slip nature make it the one you need!
It has not finished convincing you, in terms of eco-responsibility and ethics this carpet is a real gem. Its composition is ecological, non-toxic and durable. Indeed, its base is made of natural rubber denser than thermoplastic elastomer and pvc (0% PVC in the cork yoga mat, it is manufactured only in an environmentally friendly way), and offers a very good adherence good stability. Its base was made from shoes mixed with cork scraps also recycled. Its agglomerated cork covering comes from sustainably managed forests in the Alentejo region of Portugal, the carpet is created in France and manufactured in Portugal. Also note that all materials used in the manufacture of this yoga mat are certified vegan. It has French, European and international certifications (SGS standard).
The recycled rubber mat
This is the recycled rubber yoga mat made in Portugal: perfect if you are looking for an eco-designed, light and resistant yoga mat. The base of the yoga mat is made of recycled rubber from the shoe industry also made in Portugal. The carpet cover is made of anti-slip rough microfibers that are also recyclable and printed with non-toxic water-based inks using the UV printing technique.
A HEALTHY CARPET
The Yoga mat of the Gentle Range is certified by the Oeko-tex standard. It is made of virgin sheep’s wool manufactured in Lithuania (European Union) with merino sheep wool fromItaly and Poland and Oeko-tex certified. THE OEKO-TEX® standard 100 is an international system of and certification system for harmful substances in textiles.. It enables consumers and businesses to make environmentally responsible decisions to protect the planet and give future generations a livable world. The objective is, thanks to their verification system, to offer a maximum safety for consumers. It allows to certify the non-toxicity of textiles and dyes to guarantee thepurchase of a healthy product for health and the planet. Note that the Oeko-Tex standard label does not guarantee that the textile is organic.
Our other ranges of eco-responsible yoga mats have already been certified by the SGS standard (Société Générale de Surveillance) which is also an international institute that guarantees the conformity of products with European import standards.
In an ecological and biodegradable material
The Merino sheep wool in which the carpets of this softness range are made comes from the bi-annual fleece of the Merino sheep which live in the wild in Italy and Poland. The fleece is hygienic, it is good for is good for the sheep and protects them from external parasites.
Merino sheep’s wool is an ecological ecological and biodegradable material which has good health properties. In addition to being very soft and non-itchy, it is antibacterial and odor neutralizing. It also allows the temperature and humidity regulation and humidity (this material is hydrophobic which means that it repels water).
It is also an excellent natural insulator (an interesting information for those who practice Kundalini) and it purifies the air from harmful positive ionsIn short, it promotes relaxation and brings you closer to nature.
FOR ALL TYPES OF YOGA
Wool is a material appreciated by the Kundalini community (Read the blog post on the Kundalini yoga). For Kundalini, practitioners use a white carpetThey are often made of sheepskin and often wear white clothes made of natural fibers with a turban or a cap (covering the head helps to concentrate).
For practitioners of Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga among others, the soft touch of the mat of the softness range is ideal because it is a practice where a lot of time time is spent on the floor. Practitioners also appreciate its size XXL to lie down comfortably !
This carpet is in fact suitable for all types of yoga because it has a sufficiently non-slip surface sufficiently non-slip. The practitioners of Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Yoga and Bikram are more than satisfied with the wool carpet! And for the more sensitive who want more thickness, it can fold on itself at the level of the knees to have more comfort.
This mat is also ideal for those practicing dynamic yoga because the pure virgin wool is a fiber that breathes and therefore retains heat and allows perspiration toevaporate. !
However, we do not advise you against to do gymnastics, fitness gym, fitness or pilates on this mat. For pilates this mat lack of thickness and for fitness you may find it too slippery. If you already own the wool mat and want to adapt it for your pilates practice at a lower cost you can buy the mini wool carpet which can be positioned on the wool carpet and give it a double thickness.
To learn more about the Gentle Range, it’s here !
Finally to help you choose among the yoga mats we advise you to consult our Comparative Buying Guide of all the yoga mats !