Choosing a Non-Toxic Yoga Mat
updated 2/2024
What most yoga mats made of?
A combination of materials- first lets talk about the ones you want to avoid.
❌PVC
Many yoga mats are made of PVC. PVC is harmful to the planet and our health throughout its lifespan; from production, through usage and then throughout the end of its life when we throw it away. We are exposed to PVC via skin contact (dermal exposure) and inhalation
The main dangers associated with PVC are linked to vinyl chloride, which is a known human carcinogen. Additionally it is common for PVC products to contain phthalates and lead. Even ‘phthalate free pvc’ can be harmful because it can contain phthalates that we don’t test for (there are hundreds of phthalates in existence but we usually only test for about 8 of the most common ones) or substitute plasticizers like dioctyl terephthalate, or DOTP which is an alternative to phthalates that is considered safer for human health, but hasn’t really been studied. The absence of phthalates does not mean the material poses no hazard to our environment and health. PVC--regardless of which additives are used--is responsible for significant toxic emissions and pollution of nearby neighborhoods during manufacture and disposal, as well as exposing workers to toxic chemicals.
❌TPE
Thermoplastic polyethylene is another common chemical used to make yoga mats. It is a mix of rubber and plastic. We know its BPA, PVC, Lead, Phthalates and Dioxins free but we don’t know if if it has other Bisphenols and other chemicals like styrene and butadiene- which some TPE can contain. It often is made up of EVA copolymer, also known as PEVA. Overall it is a better choice in terms of environmental and potential health impacts, but not the best.
❌PER, Polymer Environmental Resin
It sounds eco friendly but yoga mats made with PER have been sold as an eco alternative and yet according to testing by the Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff Lab these were often found to be made of vinyl (PVC) (https://www.ecocenter.org/healthy-stuff/reports/yoga-mats-2019) . According to the Ecology Center "The manufacturer states PER is made of PVC plus other unspecified additives in an “environmentally friendly” process, producing a material that is biodegradable and does not emit hazardous gases when incinerated. We were unable to find substantiation for these claims.
The claim that PER does not contain phthalate plasticizers was corroborated by their testing, but the mats were found to contain a substitute chemical that has not been well studied: DOTP.
Safer alternatives:
CORK
Scoria yoga mats: made of cork and natural rubber (the backside to avoid slipping). Note: some cork mats have foam between the cork and the rubber used- which I would not recommend
Tranquility Premium 6mm Cork Yoga Mat: made of cork and natural rubber underside. Completely biodegradable While pricey, they have a thinner travel option which cost less
COTTON
Single Harda Ayurvedic Yoga Mat, $150-$170
This Bennd Yoga Mat is made of 100% ethically sourced raw cotton that is medicinally dyed ( the medicinally plant dyed textiles are naturally antimicrobial) and infused with Bennd's exclusive formula consisting of 22 different Ayurvedic medicines. These yoga mats are hand-loomed and brushed with natural rubber latex on the underside of the mat for outstanding floor grip. They are totally synthetic free products. Each yoga mat comes with a travel bag and 2oz of all-natural, powdered soap nut for the purpose of cleaning your mat.
OKO LIVING $188 (Coupon Code for $10 off: LITTLEPLUMS)
These yoga mats are like Bennd but they use certified organic cotton, in addition to plant dyes and natural tree rubber.
There are zero man-made chemicals, heavy metals, PVC, BPA, binders or phthalates.
Jade Yoga Mysore Yoga mats: $80 also made with organic cotton and all natural vegetable dyes made from herbs such as indigo, cumin and turmeric
Brentwood Homes: $159 GOTS® certified organic yoga mats. Made from 100% organic certified cotton with a non-slip base of 100% natural latex for grip. 5mm thick.
Avocado MAttress Organic Yoga Mat, $135-$159 5 mm-thick GOTS certified organic cotton top cushion and a GOLS certified organic Dunlop latex base for grip. Avocado Mattress is the sister company of Brentwood Home. 6/2023: please note Avocado Mattress has been sued by two defendants in California claiming their organic latex contains some potentially harmful chemicals tat should not be in GOLS certified latex. While the yoga mat was not implicated I would hold off on this until we here more…
WOOL
Completely chemical-free, with no off-gassing and zero VOCs. Hypoallergenic, suitable for people with chemical sensitivities, including MSC. Naturally dust mite and mildew-resistant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and flame-resistant.
100% biodegradable using only sustainable renewable materials. Price will depend on the customization you choose. You can completely customize this mat in terms of sizing and some details.
Nest merino wool yoga mat (special order), $183 USD
100% undyed merino wool on the top. Luxurious wool especially for slow paced yin-style yoga or stretching where additional warmth is needed for the muscles to relax.
Pure wool is breathable and keeps you warm even when damp. It neutralizes odours and returns to nature at the end of its life cycle.
Non-slippery bottom. Woolmark and Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
NATURAL RUBBER
Jade Harmony Yoga: made of natural rubber tapped from rubber trees, these mats have been tested and do not contain PVC, EVA or synthetic rubber. Made in the United States. Jade plants a tree for every yoga mat sold. According to testing by the Ecology Center’s Healthy Lab Jade Harmony was found to have a layer of nylon on the top…. while I am ok with this from a toxicity perspective (it will not expose you to toxins) it does make it slightly less environmentally friendly, since nylon is like plastic and does not biodegrade.
Made of non-Amazon-harvested, natural tree rubber . This is a favorite among serious yogis, is completley biodegradable.
Natural Rubber/ Jute
Barefoot yoga’s THE ORIGINAL ECO YOGA MAT : made of all-natural rubber and jute fiber. There are no chemical additives used and thus this mat can completely biodegrade. Made in the UK
‘OTHER - not bad for you but not great for the planet
Lululemon The Mat and Liforme Yoga Mat with AlignForMe are made of polyurethane and polyisoprene layers. PU is a safer type of plastic and should not leach toxins- however it is not environmentally friendly it is a plastic and will be around forever. Polyisoprene is typical of natural rubber. The Liforme mat, which advertises a no-glue process to bind the top and bottom layers, contained a polyester layer in between.
9/2022 edit: i no longer recommend this brand, after independent lab testing found dangerous levels of cancer-causing nitrosamines in LuLuLemon latex yoga mat. Testing found the chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) at more than 1,600 times the daily limit for exposure to NDMA established under California law. NDMA is listed on California’s consumer protection law Proposition 65 because it is known by the State to cause cancer.
In the case of a product like a latex yoga mat, we can be exposed through the skin, as the chemical can leach from the material
WOOL
Completely chemical-free, with no off-gassing and zero VOCs. Hypoallergenic, suitable for people with chemical sensitivities, including MSC. Naturally dust mite and mildew-resistant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and flame-resistant.
100% biodegradable using only sustainable renewable materials. Price will depend on the customization you choose. You can completely customize this mat in terms of sizing and some details.
Nest merino wool yoga mat (special order), $183 USD
100% undyed merino wool on the top. Luxurious wool especially for slow paced yin-style yoga or stretching where additional warmth is needed for the muscles to relax.
Pure wool is breathable and keeps you warm even when damp. It neutralizes odours and returns to nature at the end of its life cycle.
Non-slippery bottom. Woolmark and Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
FOR KIDS
Scoria
Makes KIDS ALIGN NON-TOXIC CORK YOGA & PLAY MAT which, much like their adult mats, are made of cork and natural tree rubber backing. Additionally with the sale of one kids yoga mat, Scoria gives 6 meals to a child in need