It’s simple to neglect simply what number of of our regular, on a regular basis belongings are dangerous for us, or dangerous for the surroundings.
And then you definately see a particular on TV or a put up on social media in regards to the trash within the ocean, or about plastic inflicting most cancers, and also you decide to going all-natural for good!
You purchase the bamboo straws. Commerce in your plastic baggies for glass containers. Determine to attempt one thing loopy like beeswax meals wraps (which, by the best way, are literally fairly cool).
After which a month goes by, and in the future you look down at your hand solely to appreciate with horror that you just’re holding a disposable Starbucks cup!
Or your latest buy arrives in a smiling brown field, and inside that cardboard, it’s coated in plastic wrap. Anybody else have a nasty Amazon prime behavior?
Plastics and disposables are a really ingrained a part of our world, and I’m positive you’re simply as annoyed as I’m with attempting to dwell a greener life-style — particularly in a means that can be inexpensive.
However does this imply we must always cease attempting to maintain ourselves and our planet wholesome?
Heck no!
There won’t be an ideal answer, however I’ve realized that one of the best factor we are able to do is be aware shoppers, and put some thought into the purchases we make.
A terrific place to start out is along with your yoga mat, particularly when you observe often (or are planning to). As a result of whereas the difficulty of recyclable supplies in your yoga mat could be apparent, the truth that they might even be poisonous will not be so apparent to most.
WARNING: There’s a good probability you’ve got some very harmful issues lurking in your yoga mat! Extra on that in a second.
I’ve performed some analysis, and narrowed down my suggestions to the high 4 eco-friendly yoga mats which might be wholesome for you AND received’t find yourself lingering in a landfill for a thousand plus years.
So you may be ok with your observe and its impacts on the surroundings.
Totally different individuals want various things from their yoga mat concerning cushion, sticky help and many others., so I’ll let you know what to search for while you’re buying. However first, let’s speak about the one factor you must keep away from in any respect prices in terms of selecting a yoga mat.
Is Your Yoga Mat Making You Sick?
For many years, the long-lasting “sticky mat” has been the most well-liked yoga mat round.
It’s cushiony, it supplies simply sufficient stickiness to offer you traction throughout your routine, it’s simple to wash, compact and light-weight.
The issue? It’s made out of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) – a tremendous poisonous plastic made with substances like BPA, dioxins, and phthalates which might be recognized most cancers causers and endocrine disruptors.
These dangerous brokers can enter your physique via your pores and skin while you contact your mat, and thru your lungs while you breathe round it (particularly when you add warmth, like in scorching yoga or out of doors yoga).
Plus, these standard yoga mats aren’t simply recycled and by no means biodegrade; however they do leach those self same poisonous chemical compounds into the air, earth, and water round them as they break down into smaller particles—polluting every thing round them for generations to come back. (1)
This yucky materials is poisonous throughout it’s total life cycle—from creation to make use of to disposal. (2)
So irrespective of how a lot you’re keen on your outdated yoga mat, it’s time to do away with it and discover a more healthy, extra eco-friendly various!
Man-Made Supplies
Man-made supplies are the trickiest to determine while you’re buying.
It isn’t instantly apparent what parts are in them—type of just like the distinction between the produce isle and the snack meals isle on the grocery retailer.
Solely, there isn’t a useful substances listing on the label to be sure to can pronounce what you’re shopping for.
Fortunately, different individuals have figured this out—and similar to snack meals, you could be shocked at what your favourite issues are fabricated from.
PER – The Eco-PVC
There are a number of firms promoting a “safer” various to PVC, which they’re calling “eco-PVC.”
It’s additionally known as PER (polymer environmental resin), and it’s much less poisonous to fabricate and recycle than PVC.
PER continues to be a sort of plastic, nevertheless it is freed from phthalates, BPA, and dioxins.
It’s turning into more and more standard for yoga mats, because it provides the sturdiness, padding, and suppleness you want in an ideal yoga mat, and is biodegradable. (3)
If you wish to check out a PER yoga mat, Pure Health Warrior makes an ideal one with a mix of PER and pure rubber.
It’s cheap and sturdy, and the PER retains it from having that pure rubber odor.
You’ll be able to test it out right here.
TPE – The New Standby
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) has turn into the brand new go-to as a PVC various for yoga mats; however what’s it, actually?
Properly, we all know that it’s normally a combination of plastic and rubber—and that’s in regards to the extent of our data. (4)
Producers aren’t required to let you know precisely what TPE is made out of. (Severely!)
So whereas it’s BPA and phthalate free, it might nonetheless include different toxins. We actually don’t know. (5)
The excellent news is that TPEs are recyclable and might be remolded, and it takes much less vitality to provide than different supplies. (6)
In case you’re searching for one thing much like your outdated PVC mat, TPE mats are in all probability the closest match, since they’re light-weight, versatile, sturdy, and are available in each coloration of the rainbow.
Gruper has some cute ones with customizable coloration, measurement, and thickness. You’ll be able to even get one along with your zodiac signal on it!
Click on right here to verify them out.
Pure Supplies
I can’t think about something higher to sit down on whilst you seek for internal peace and concord than one thing completely pure that doesn’t hurt the surroundings at any level in its lifecycle.
(Sorry, Karen with the important oils—however I couldn’t discover any made with lavender or crystals, so that you’ll have so as to add these your self!)
There are a number of “pure” yoga mats on the market—together with ones fabricated from jute, cork, cotton, and rubber.
In case you’re at present cringing on the thought of doing cobra pose on a burlap sack, worry not—we discovered some very snug, and really cute choices (not that jute mats are dangerous—they only weren’t our favourite picks!).
After all of the pure choices, listed here are our two faves!
Cork – Saving the World One Tree at a Time
The best half is that to reap the cork, employees simply strip the thick bark from the cork tree—with out chopping it down!
It doesn’t hurt the tree, it supplies fair-trade jobs to rural areas, and cork forests even present habitat for endangered animal species. (7, 8)
And because it’s a very pure materials, it simply biodegrades.
However does it make a superb yoga mat?
The reply is sure—however not by itself.
Cork is waterproof and naturally antimicrobial, so that you don’t have to fret about funky odors or micro organism in your mat. (7, 9)
It’s sturdy and springy, plus it’s light-weight.
Nonetheless, cork mats normally have a rubber or artificial backside layer—and also you received’t discover a 100% cork yoga mat.
Nonetheless, you’ll be lowering your carbon footprint and supporting a sustainable business, whereas getting a very superior yoga mat.
We love Yoloha’s cork mats, since they’ve a number of choices based mostly in your wants, and so they use eco-friendly backing supplies.
Plus, Yoloha makes an enormous effort to not use any plastic ever of their merchandise, and your cork mat will probably be shipped in recycled cardboard and paper.
Rubber – Smelly, but Satisfying
Whereas rubber yoga mats do have a robust rubber odor and are heavier than different mats, they supply nice grip, padding, and sturdiness.
Pure rubber is harvested by tapping rubber timber and amassing the liquid latex that drips out, the identical means that maple syrup is harvested from maple timber. (10)
This doesn’t damage the tree, and it supplies fair-trade jobs to individuals in rural areas.
It’s then heated and combined with components to enhance energy, elasticity, and and many others.
That’s the place it is advisable to watch out, and ensure your rubber mat doesn’t include cancer-causing bisphenols (BPA being the worst one), or petroleum-based components. (11)
Most pure rubber yoga mats are made to be non-toxic and freed from dangerous substances, though you must clearly keep away from rubber mats all-together you probably have a latex allergy.
And while you’re performed along with your mat, rubber is definitely recyclable, usually being made into issues like playground flooring, surgical gloves, and even welcome mats. (11)
In case you’d wish to attempt a rubber mat, Jade Yoga makes a number of totally different choices to fulfill your wants.
Plus, their mats are made within the USA, and so they plant a tree for each mat bought!
You’ll be able to try Jade Yoga mats right here.
The underside line: There are a number of eco-friendly yoga mat choices accessible, and any alternative you make will probably be more healthy than a PVC mat.
So keep in mind to have enjoyable, and choose a mat that can make you excited to observe yoga daily!
Yoga for a More healthy You
So now that you’ve got a stupendous, wholesome new yoga mat, you’re in all probability trying to find the appropriate yoga routine.
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Click on right here to start out your yoga fats loss journey right this moment!
At all times do not forget that essentially the most troublesome a part of doing any new exercise routine is SHOWING UP.
Be certain that to indicate up right this moment and provides your greatest to your yoga observe. You deserve it!
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