When choosing a yoga mat, most people focus on comfort, grip, or price—but have you ever thought about the impact your mat has on your health and the environment? Many yoga mats on the market today are made with EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), a material that may seem convenient but hides harmful effects beneath its surface. At Babacork, we choose not to use EVA in our products for a reason. Let’s explore why EVA is harmful and why we believe sustainable materials like cork are the better choice for your practice and the planet.
When choosing a yoga mat, most people focus on comfort, grip, or price—but have you ever thought about the impact your mat has on your health and the environment? Many yoga mats on the market today are made with EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), a material that may seem convenient but hides harmful effects beneath its surface. At Babacork, we choose not to use EVA in our products for a reason. Let’s explore why EVA is harmful and why we believe sustainable materials like cork are the better choice for your practice and the planet.
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What Is EVA?
What Is EVA?
What Is EVA?
EVA, or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, is a synthetic polymer commonly used in yoga mats, shoes, and other consumer products. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and provides good cushioning, making it a popular choice for yoga practitioners looking for comfort. However, what EVA delivers in affordability, it lacks in sustainability and safety.
EVA, or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, is a synthetic polymer commonly used in yoga mats, shoes, and other consumer products. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and provides good cushioning, making it a popular choice for yoga practitioners looking for comfort. However, what EVA delivers in affordability, it lacks in sustainability and safety.
The Harmful Effects of EVA
The Harmful Effects of EVA
The Harmful Effects of EVA
Health Risks
EVA contains chemicals that can be harmful to human health, particularly when exposed to heat or sunlight. These chemicals may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can affect indoor air quality and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Over time, prolonged exposure to these emissions can pose more signicant risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions or sensitivities. For a material meant to support wellness, EVA has some ironic downsides.
Environmental Impact
EVA is a type of plastic that is neither biodegradable nor recyclable in most facilities. Once discarded, products made of EVA sit in landlls for decades, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution.
Additionally, the manufacturing process of EVA consumes fossil fuels and releases greenhouse gases, adding to its carbon footprint. For yoga practitioners who value connection with nature, using a material that harms the environment seems out of sync with yogic principles like Ahimsa (non-violence).{note to editor: highlight this section}
Health Risks
EVA contains chemicals that can be harmful to human health, particularly when exposed to heat or sunlight. These chemicals may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can affect indoor air quality and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Over time, prolonged exposure to these emissions can pose more signicant risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions or sensitivities. For a material meant to support wellness, EVA has some ironic downsides.
Environmental Impact
EVA is a type of plastic that is neither biodegradable nor recyclable in most facilities. Once discarded, products made of EVA sit in landlls for decades, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution.
Additionally, the manufacturing process of EVA consumes fossil fuels and releases greenhouse gases, adding to its carbon footprint. For yoga practitioners who value connection with nature, using a material that harms the environment seems out of sync with yogic principles like Ahimsa (non-violence).{note to editor: highlight this section}
Health Risks
EVA contains chemicals that can be harmful to human health, particularly when exposed to heat or sunlight. These chemicals may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can affect indoor air quality and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Over time, prolonged exposure to these emissions can pose more signicant risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions or sensitivities. For a material meant to support wellness, EVA has some ironic downsides.
Environmental Impact
EVA is a type of plastic that is neither biodegradable nor recyclable in most facilities. Once discarded, products made of EVA sit in landlls for decades, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution.
Additionally, the manufacturing process of EVA consumes fossil fuels and releases greenhouse gases, adding to its carbon footprint. For yoga practitioners who value connection with nature, using a material that harms the environment seems out of sync with yogic principles like Ahimsa (non-violence).{note to editor: highlight this section}
How Babacork Does Things Differently
How Babacork Does Things Differently
How Babacork Does Things Differently
At Babacork, we believe in making choices that honor both the individual and the environment. That’s why we use DuricoGrip instead of EVA in our yoga mats.
Why Cork Is Better
Cork is a natural material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. Unlike EVA, it is renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable. Harvesting cork doesn’t harm the tree—it actually helps it absorb more carbon dioxide, making cork a carbonnegative material. Cork is also naturally antimicrobial, meaning it resists bacteria and odors without the need for chemical treatments. It’s durable, lightweight, and offers excellent grip, making it perfect for your yoga practice.
Aligned with Yogic Values
Sustainability is at the heart of Babacork. By using cork, we aim to uphold the principles of Ahimsa (non-harm) and mindfulness in every step of the production process. Each mat represents a commitment to both personal growth and environmental stewardship.
At Babacork, we believe in making choices that honor both the individual and the environment. That’s why we use DuricoGrip instead of EVA in our yoga mats.
Why Cork Is Better
Cork is a natural material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. Unlike EVA, it is renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable. Harvesting cork doesn’t harm the tree—it actually helps it absorb more carbon dioxide, making cork a carbonnegative material. Cork is also naturally antimicrobial, meaning it resists bacteria and odors without the need for chemical treatments. It’s durable, lightweight, and offers excellent grip, making it perfect for your yoga practice.
Aligned with Yogic Values
Sustainability is at the heart of Babacork. By using cork, we aim to uphold the principles of Ahimsa (non-harm) and mindfulness in every step of the production process. Each mat represents a commitment to both personal growth and environmental stewardship.
At Babacork, we believe in making choices that honor both the individual and the environment. That’s why we use DuricoGrip instead of EVA in our yoga mats.
Why Cork Is Better
Cork is a natural material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. Unlike EVA, it is renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable. Harvesting cork doesn’t harm the tree—it actually helps it absorb more carbon dioxide, making cork a carbonnegative material. Cork is also naturally antimicrobial, meaning it resists bacteria and odors without the need for chemical treatments. It’s durable, lightweight, and offers excellent grip, making it perfect for your yoga practice.
Aligned with Yogic Values
Sustainability is at the heart of Babacork. By using cork, we aim to uphold the principles of Ahimsa (non-harm) and mindfulness in every step of the production process. Each mat represents a commitment to both personal growth and environmental stewardship.
Empowering Conscious Choices
Empowering Conscious Choices
Empowering Conscious Choices
Every time you unroll your yoga mat, you have an opportunity to connect with yourself and with nature. Choosing a cork yoga mat over one made with EVA is more than just a personal health decision—it’s a step toward a healthier planet. When you choose Babacork, you’re not just investing in a quality mat—you’re supporting a movement that values sustainability, transparency, and care for all living beings
Every time you unroll your yoga mat, you have an opportunity to connect with yourself and with nature. Choosing a cork yoga mat over one made with EVA is more than just a personal health decision—it’s a step toward a healthier planet. When you choose Babacork, you’re not just investing in a quality mat—you’re supporting a movement that values sustainability, transparency, and care for all living beings
Every time you unroll your yoga mat, you have an opportunity to connect with yourself and with nature. Choosing a cork yoga mat over one made with EVA is more than just a personal health decision—it’s a step toward a healthier planet. When you choose Babacork, you’re not just investing in a quality mat—you’re supporting a movement that values sustainability, transparency, and care for all living beings
Make the Switch to Sustainability
Say goodbye to EVA and hello to a cleaner, greener yoga practice. Explore Babacork’s collection of eco-friendly yoga mats and join us in making yoga truly harmonious with nature. What do you think of this? Would you like me to adjust the tone, add more details, or format it differently?
Say goodbye to EVA and hello to a cleaner, greener yoga practice. Explore Babacork’s collection of eco-friendly yoga mats and join us in making yoga truly harmonious with nature. What do you think of this? Would you like me to adjust the tone, add more details, or format it differently?