Beyond the material, sustainability claims and performance, durability remains a decisive factor when choosing a natural rubber yoga mat. Understanding its lifespan helps us make more informed and conscious decisions.
When evaluating a product, durability and performance are two key aspects. If we focus solely on how long a yoga mat lasts, we can conclude that natural rubber mats do not last as long as plastic and synthetic alternatives such as PVC, EVA or TPE mats.
This difference in durability lies in the fact that the structure of natural rubber is less resistant to friction than synthetic plastics. However, natural rubber mats offer better performance, are more eco friendly and can last for years when cared for properly.
To extend the lifespan of your natural rubber mat, it is advisable to avoid direct sun exposure, clean it with water and a few drops of vinegar and store it correctly. At oléyoga, we have made two decisions to increase the durability of the Eco Daily mat. We added closed cell technology on the surface to prevent moisture and bacteria from building up inside the mat and we made it reversible so that you can practice on both sides and extend its useful life.
In our opinion, one of the strongest arguments in favour of natural rubber mats is their incredible grip and their ability to decompose under natural conditions. In landfill conditions, a natural rubber mat can break down in five to ten years, while PVC mats can take more than two hundred years and release toxic additives into the environment during decomposition.
If you want to extend the lifespan of your mat, you can also give your old mat alternative uses. Here are some ideas:
- Reuse: it can be cut and used as a base for home workouts, a floor protector or even as a non slip surface for gardening or DIY projects.
- Donation: some animal shelters accept used mats as beds for dogs and cats. They can also be useful in community centres or as emergency pads.
- Recycling programmes: at oléyoga, we are developing a recycling programme to incorporate old oléyoga mats into our production chain. Contact us for more information.
Finally, the environmental impact of yoga mats does not depend only on the material. It also depends on the full lifecycle, from the extraction of raw materials to processing, transport, use and disposal. In this sense, natural materials such as rubber have a lower carbon footprint than plasticisers, especially when production is local and powered by renewable energy, as is the case with our mats.
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oléyoga is a sustainable yoga mat brand made from natural rubber and free from plastic based materials. Engineered for strong grip, durability and reduced environmental footprint, our mats encourage an ethical and mindful approach to yoga.
