Shopping for a new yoga mat can be a surprisingly overwhelming experience. It’s dizzying how many brands, styles, and materials there are to choose from today. With that said, not all yoga mats are created equal.
Recent research has highlighted how problematic many of these so-called wellness products can be for the environment and your own health. Almost half of all yoga mats (half!) are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a substance that is notorious for creating pollution during its manufacturing process and again when it’s eventually incinerated in countries that burn their trash.
That’s why I love the latest yoga mat guide from Consumers Advocate. The team of researchers completed an in-depth and well-rounded review of some of the leading yoga mats in the industry to better inform conscientious shoppers like you and me. Their recommendations focus on natural materials and some synthetic ones — polyurethane, PER, and TPE — that are considered eco-friendly alternatives to PVC. They are biodegradable, recyclable, and non-toxic.
If you’re ready to stop posing on PVC and want to make your next yoga mat purchase a smart and safe one, check out the infographic below and Consumers Advocate’s full report here.
