The main problem I have with PVC mats is that they are not biodegradable, and so the PVC, which may not directly cause cancer to you, will be lingering somewhere in the environment, long after we can no longer perform yoga in our lifetimes, emitting more fumes and toxins, and possibly causing cancer to others, and damaging the environment.

Also, the toxins in these mats can sometimes be so toxic that if you accidentally, say…light one on fire…highly unlikely, but just hypothetical ..you will need a gas mask and toxic gear to take care of it because the heat will release the fumes at extremely toxic levels! Scary, right?

They are now making sticky rubber mats made from natural tree rubber and “jute”, which makes them biodegradable and non-toxic!
Also, look for mats that say “PVC free” or “phthalate free”. They are pretty easy to find and equivalent in cost, so why not?!

My philosophy is that, especially if it doesn’t take much more effort or money to do so, try to stay as toxin-free as possible, we get enough of them in our day-to-day lives, and my yoga practice is a time when we should be cleansing ourselves from toxins, not breathing them in!

Hope this helps!

Keep reading
-Alexandra

Thank you so much for featuring YogaDirect’s 6′ x 6′ Square Maendy Mat!

I noticed you have it listed as a “Microban” mat. Unfortunately at this time, the only Microban Mats (http://www.yogadirect.com/yoga_mats_microban.html) we have come in the standard 72″ x 24″ size. They are infused with a special zinc Microban technology that protects the mat from bacteria and fungus.

The Maendy Mat (http://www.yogadirect.com/yoga_maendymat.html) is made of a latex-free, durable foam and can be easily cleaned using any yoga mat cleanser (I like the Charter Oak kind here: http://www.yogadirect.com/yoga_mat_cleaners.html).

Thanks again for the feature! Namaste!

Do you know if it’s directly harmful to my health to continue to use my PVC mat? I know it’s offgassing when it smells like plastic, but what about after that smell is gone?

Also, can the non-toxic EVA material mats smell like plastic? Because my mat, one seller told me, is actually made of EVA, not PVC–but it smelled like plastic when I first got it. So is it possible that my mat really is made of EVA?

I hope you can help me out, Google’s not being too helpful.

Thanks ^_^

What a great article and good looking mats. I too, like the chakra mats! One big clarification…The Boulder Mat Company and Recycle Your Mat are completely different and your blurb about them, Recycle Your Mat’s logo and then the bit below our logo appears as though we’re connected.

Recycle Your Mat donates used mats in good condition and upcycles mats into new products without grinding, melting or other energy intensive means. All of this is done in the US, working with small US manufacturers. We’re not affiliated with any mat manufacturer, but are supported by a number of them, who are helping us spread the word about keeping mats out of the landfill.

In 2008, more than 50% of mats collected by Recycle Your Mat were upcycled into other products, more than 30% of mats collected were donated to local community programs and the remaining mats are being upcycled in 2009.

Recycle Your Mat was the first comprehensive program to tackle yoga mat reuse and recycling/upcycling. We’re supported by hundreds of studios across the US, and have worked with studios and yoga organizations in Canada, Europe, Mexico and China to set up similar programs in those countries so they too may be able to keep mats out of their landfills.

You may find out more about our advocacy role, and how we have lead the way for other nations and yoga mat manufacturers to being their own programs, via the below links:

http://www.recycleyourmat.com
twitter: recycleyourmat
blog: http://community.yogajournal.com/RecycleYogi

Blessings,

Stephanie