WHY ARE PVC YOGA MATS SO BAD???
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HEY YOGIS!! What is your Yoga Mat made of?
Thank you for wanting to know more about why PVC is so bad.
Here is a discount code to purchase one of our PVC FREE Yoga Mats.
Click the link and use code 'MAT10' at checkout to receive 10% off.
As a yogi, it's crucial to know what your yoga mat is made of and what you are practicing on. If you have a plastic PVC mat, this information will help you stay informed and empower your decision-making. Why use the most sustainable choices possible when it comes to manufacturing our yoga mats. We choose not to use PVC in our yoga mats although many competitors yoga mats are made of PVC.
Here’s why PVC is harmful and why Yogi Peace Club mats are a healthier choice for your practice.
Here is a discount code to purchase one of our PVC FREE Yoga Mats.
Click the link and use code 'MAT10' at checkout to receive 10% off.
As a yogi, it's crucial to know what your yoga mat is made of and what you are practicing on. If you have a plastic PVC mat, this information will help you stay informed and empower your decision-making. Why use the most sustainable choices possible when it comes to manufacturing our yoga mats. We choose not to use PVC in our yoga mats although many competitors yoga mats are made of PVC.
Here’s why PVC is harmful and why Yogi Peace Club mats are a healthier choice for your practice.
WHY IS PVC HAZARDOUS?
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TOXIC PRODUCTION: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials. It involves large quantities of chlorine, comprising roughly 30% of the world’s supply. PVC became the plastic of choice because it is cheap.
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HEALTH RISKS: PVC emits dioxins during its manufacture, which are toxic to both humans and the environment. It is considered the most harmful plastic by several health organisations. Greenpeace has been lobbying to stop the use of PVC because of the dioxin produced during its manufacture. Unfortunately many yoga mats are 100% PVC.
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PHTHALATES: Yoga mats made from PVC often contain phthalates to increase flexibility. These chemicals are linked to reproductive issues, shorter pregnancy durations, and premature breast development in girls. Phthalates can leach out, especially in hot yoga environments, leading to inhalation of toxic particles.
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NON-RECYCLABLE: PVC cannot be recycled due to embedded toxins. Incineration or landfill disposal releases dioxins, known carcinogens
- CHEMICAL EXPOSURE: The characteristic smell of new PVC products is due to the presence of phthalates and stabilisers like lead and cadmium.
EXPERT INSIGHTS
SIMRAN SETHI
Journalist and educator
"The majority of yoga mats are manufactured in Taiwan and made of polyvinyl chloride. PVC makes a great mat due to its grip, durability and price point. Most yoga mats are made of PVC, which provides good grip, durability and is cost-effective. However, there is no safe way to create, use, or dispose of these mats"
Sethi also comments "PVC isn't just in yoga mats. It's in children's toys, sex toys, shower curtains, fake Christmas trees, IV bags and more. That new car (or new yoga mat) smell is the scent of plastic softened with phthalates and stabilised with lead and cadmium."
Journalist and educator
"The majority of yoga mats are manufactured in Taiwan and made of polyvinyl chloride. PVC makes a great mat due to its grip, durability and price point. Most yoga mats are made of PVC, which provides good grip, durability and is cost-effective. However, there is no safe way to create, use, or dispose of these mats"
Sethi also comments "PVC isn't just in yoga mats. It's in children's toys, sex toys, shower curtains, fake Christmas trees, IV bags and more. That new car (or new yoga mat) smell is the scent of plastic softened with phthalates and stabilised with lead and cadmium."
ANDREA CESPEDES
Livestrong
"PVC mats can emit chemicals that pollute the air. PVC production involves harmful substances like chlorine gas, ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride, mercury, and dioxins, which are carcinogenic to workers"
Andrea Cespedes also writes "A sticky mat is pretty much a must for yoga, but it's safety is in question. Yes, the mat will keep you from slipping and falling — but it contains chemicals that may linger in your system for years."
Here is a wonderful link to the Livestrong website with further website resources for information on PVC and Phthalates: www.livestrong.com
So when shopping for a yoga mat keep these things in mind and ask yourself....
1. What is my yoga mat made of?
2. Are there any unnecessary chemicals added to my mat?
3. Does it smell toxic?
4. How can I repurpose it?
2. Are there any unnecessary chemicals added to my mat?
3. Does it smell toxic?
4. How can I repurpose it?
WHY CHOOSE YOGI PEACE CLUB?
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Eco-Friendly Materials: Made from recycled plastic bottles heat-bonded to 100% natural biodegradable tree rubber or recycled tree rubber, Yogi Peace Club yoga mats are free from PVC, phthalates, latex, silicon, and toxic chemicals.
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No Toxic Smell: Our mats have zero odour.
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Expertly Designed: Designed by yoga teachers, each mat features hand-drawn artwork by local artists, providing alignment guides for accurate asana positioning.
- Support Carbon Positive: Every purchase helps replant and restore Australian native plants through the Carbon Positive Foundation.
FEATURES OF YOGI PEACE CLUB YOGA MATS
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Quality and Durability: Invest in quality and durability with mats that offer extra cushion, rubber stability and enhanced grip to reduce injuries.
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Travel friendly to XL: We offer a wide variety of yoga mats ranging from 1mm Travel Yoga Mats to 6mm XL. Explore our Yoga mat Range HERE.
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Supporting Reforestation: With every Yogi Peace Club purchase, we support the Carbon Positive Foundation, helping to replant and restore Australian native plants and vegetation. This partnership aims to offset carbon emissions and promote biodiversity.
- Environmental Education: We actively engage with our community to raise awareness about the importance of reducing carbon footprints and adopting sustainable practices in daily life. Discover how to re-purpose your Yogi Peace Club yoga mat HERE
ACCOLADES
Industry Recognition:
Finalist in the 2024 Clean+Conscious Awards. Winners to be announced September 2024.
Award Winning:
Gold Award Winning in the Yoga Division for the Clean+Conscious Awards. Read more HERE.
5-Star Google Review:
Trusted and loved by customers worldwide.
Finalist in the 2024 Clean+Conscious Awards. Winners to be announced September 2024.
Award Winning:
Gold Award Winning in the Yoga Division for the Clean+Conscious Awards. Read more HERE.
5-Star Google Review:
Trusted and loved by customers worldwide.
Used By Yoga Teachers Globally:
Our yoga mats are the choice and recommendation of yoga teachers worldwide.
At Yogi Peace Club, we prioritise sustainability and health in every product we create. As experts in yoga mats, we understand the importance of investing in quality and durability. Our award-winning mats, designed by yoga teachers and featuring hand-drawn artwork by local artists, are used by yoga practitioners and teachers around the world. With 5-star Google reviews and recognition as a finalist in the 2024 Eco Awards, we are committed to providing eco-friendly alternatives to PVC yoga mats.
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References
- Livestrong, January 2018 www.livestrong.com
- Yoga Journal by Mike Schade, March 23, 2015
- Yoga Journal by Cynthia Morris, August 28, 2007 www.yogajournal.com
- Eco Novice, September 24, 2013 www.eco-novice.com
- Oprah.com by Simran Sethi, December 2009 www.oprah.com
- Images via Greenpeace Website © Kevin Castle / Greenpeace