Ecology

RESPECT - INTEGRITY - HARMONY

 At the heart of ecoYoga lies the belief that yoga and ecology are inextricably linked - both deepen awareness and sensitivity: yoga to the body and inner self, ecology to our natural environment.

THE COMMITMENT: AN EARTH-CONSCIOUS YOGA MAT

Created as an earth-conscious and healthy alternative to mats made from PVC and other synthetic materials, since the beginning ecoYoga has been committed to creating the most authentically natural and environmentally friendly yoga mat possible.  

Made from sustainably-grown and harvested plant-based materials 

100% natural rubber + 100% natural jute 

PVC free, TPR free, PER free 

Biodegradable 

Compostable 

Recyclable

100% NATURAL RUBBER AND JUTE

The two materials that make up ecoYoga mats are 100% natural and come from sustainably grown plants.  For optimal care and quality for the environment and the customer, the rubber for ecoYoga is specifically formulated and the jute weave is hand selected.  

Rubber tree being tapped for the lectin that will become rubber.

Rubber

Rubber is harvested from a tree called Hevea Brasiliensis which can be tapped for the lectin in their bark that becomes rubber.  Amazon rain forest called this rubber tree Catchou or the “tree that weeps” as the latex drips through channels scored into the bark. The trees can be tapped for up to 30 years after which they can be used for building or furniture construction.

Jute

Jute is a sustainable plant that is grown in regions of India and Bangladesh in a 4 month period just prior to the rainy season. It is fast growing and uses land that would otherwise be dormant at that time so increasing revenue for farmers.

 Jute: The Journey From Plan to ecoYoga Mat

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR MAT IS MADE OF?

The creation of the ecoYoga mat in 2003 stems from an insight about the materials that yoga mats are typically made of.   At that time and still today, almost all yoga mats available in the world are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride commonly known as vinyl), a by-product of the oil industry.  Not only is PVC dangerous to the environment during production, during their use, PVC products - including yoga mats - give off toxic gases.  And PVC mats are not at all biodegradable so will stay in landfills for thousands of years.  Or worse, will end up in an incinerator where they will release dioxin, a known carcinogen, into the environment.

In recent years more environmentally friendly synthetic alternatives have been developed.  TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) foam is a non-toxic plastic called synthetic rubber.    PER (polymer environment resin) is touted as being more environmentally friendly and contains no phthalates or heavy metals, yet it is still made of PVC.  These synthetic compounds may possibly be melted down and recycled but they are not biodegradable.

So when choosing a yoga mat, make the choice that is good for a healthy body and healthy planet.  Look for the natural and environmentally friendly alternative.

Our ecoYoga mats are environmentally neutral so are biodegradable and can even be composted and used in the garden once they have finished their yoga practice life.