Many of you have been asking where to find ethical and sustainable yoga wear and where to buy props. So, I’ve done my research into why, what and where and here are the results….
why buy eco friendly, sustainable & ethical?
Fast fashion and consumerism are just not viable for the future of this remarkable planet or for its people. From raw materials through to end-of-life, the fashion & retail industries have significant impact on our natural systems.
This is due to high CO2 emissions; other forms of pollution; harm to human health; significant freshwater withdrawal (to grow fibres, for dyeing and finishing fabrics) and resource depletion.
And although it’s a lucrative industry for some, the profits don’t reach the makers. Garment-producing countries frequently set minimum wages below a “living wage” thus leaving the majority of workers and their families trapped in poverty. In addition, fire safety, unsafe working conditions and structural defects within factories remain a concern.
I’ve only scratched the surface, but this is why we must consider firstly, whether a desired item is essential and secondly, if it will add value to our lives. And then if so, where possible, we must chose eco-friendly, sustainable and ethical.
Don’t forget, at Centred Ground Physiotherapy & Yoga, we supply all the props for you.
want to learn more?
- Watch: The War on Waste Fashion Episode
- Read: National Geographic ‘Consumerism- Earth Suffers’
- University of Queensland ‘Fast Fashion’ Article
- How to step off the fashion trend-mill
- Visit: Fashion Revolution
- Download: the Ethical Fashion Guide
- The Good on You app for ethical ratings of brands in the palm of your hand
what should we be looking for?
Ideally, we’d love for all brands to be:
- Environmentally friendly- Minimal or no harm on the environment and ecosystem.
- Empowering– Enables disadvantaged people and communities through training and employment to lift themselves out of poverty & gain independence.
- Fair– Made by someone who is of a working age, has safe working conditions & is paid a living wage.
- Locally made
- Minimal waste
- Sustainable– Natural and organic fabrics, biodegradable materials and non-toxic dyes.
- Transparency– You can tell who, how, where and when their products were made.
- Upcycled
- Animal Friendly
who made the list?
So, after much searching, these lovely businesses & brands have made it to our list of environmental friendly, ethical and sustainable yoga wear/props. Once you’ve checked them out, book into your next yoga class and we’ll look out for you sporting your new gear 😉
shop and support local in adelaide, south australia
| brand | approach | items available |
| Eco Lateral Magill, Blackwood, Brighton |
Carefully curated products selected to ensure they strictly support the sustainable use of our earth’s resources | Yoga mats, grip socks, bricks, bamboo & hemp clothing & socks |
| Bolsters and Things Ashford SA |
Bolsters individually hand-made with natural Australian cotton filling Made to order |
Bolsters, blankets, bricks, belts, eye pillows, mats |
yoga wear
| brand | approach | items available |
| Ethica | Australian made (in SA) Sustainable fabrics, eco-packaging and labelling Materials: Bamboo & recycled polyester Chemical free dyes |
Leggings, shorts, tops |
| DK Active | Australian made Regenerated nylon, organic cotton, bamboo and modal Plastic free packaging- non-toxic and biodegradable satchels Solar powered HQ |
Range of ladies & menswear incl. maternity wear |
| Organic Yoga Company/ Vege Threads | 100% Australian owned & manufactured Transparent & ethical supply chain Users of Australia’s carbon neutral delivery service Sendle Packed with tissue paper, paper stickers, compostable satchels & recycled postcards |
Women’s & men’s clothing & activewear |
| Bay Active | 100% made in Australia Supply chain is 100% transparent Organic cotton, merino, bamboo & econyl (made from damage & abandoned fishing nets) Recycled packaging Re- purpose surplus fabrics that may end up in landfill |
Range of active and comfort wear +Yoga mats & bricks |
| Dharma Bums | Recycled nylon and organic cottons Dyes are non-toxic Sublimation printing: less water, electricity & waste Biodegradable plastic packaging- switching to compostable BSCI factories in china |
|
| Eco.Mono | Offers from brands leading the way in ethical women’s fashion Posted in compostable packaging |
A curated collection of sustainable monochrome clothing |
|
Natural Dyes Ethically made in Bali Materials: Bamboo & econyl (regenerated nylon), GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Shipped in compostable packaging |
Yoga shorts, leggings, loungewear, intimates |
yoga props
| brand | approach | items available |
| LovEarth | Compostable/fully biodegradable jute/rubber mats Mat donation program-they recycle or up-cycle your old mat for you |
Yoga mats, mat bags |
| Body Mind Connect | Natural, sustainable, chemical-free, biodegradable materials | Yoga mats, bricks, belts |
| The OM Shop | A collection of eco-friendly yoga mats + accessories Difficult to interpret their star rating system |
Bolsters, mats, straps, bricks, eye pillows |
| Second Earth | 100% Australian owned/operated Manufacturing SE Asia Jute and natural rubber Recycled packaging |
Yoga mats |
| EMP Industries | Offer an ‘Eco Yoga Kit’ 100% Australian owned/operated Packaging not considered |
Yoga mats, bricks, belts, blankets |
| IYoga Props | Organic cotton & recycled items Packaging not considered |
Recycled cotton blankets, eco bolsters, cork & natural rubber mats |
Want to add or be added to our list? Send us an email here.
