Manduka Sustainability

Manduka uses some eco-friendly materials in its main line of products. For example, the brand’s eKo mats consist of biodegradable natural tree rubber. These are manufactured with zero waste and with no harmful plasticisers. Similarly, Manduka Yogitoes towels are made from eight or more discarded plastic bottles and 50% recycled poly yarn. Other products include recycled plastic and recycled polyester. The brand’s founders state they do everything possible to ‘minimise environmental waste’, however, we have not seen evidence of Manduka’s actions to reduce the use of harmful chemicals.

The company does not publish information regarding the labour policies or initiatives that it uses. For that reason, it’s hard to determine whether Manduka pays its employees a fair, living wage and what, if any, schemes are in place to benefit workers. There is also no information on whether Manduka tracks every stage of its supply chain. That means that consumers are unaware of the ways in which workers are treated on behalf of the brand. While that may mean that the company looks after its team at every level, in the absence of disclosure there are risks to this. Manduka is not listed on the Fashion Transparency Index, and so has no score.

The Manduka website shares some information on how the company is trying to reduce its energy usage. For instance, the site states that the Yogitoes towels require ⅔ less energy to produce than standard towels, thanks to the materials the company uses. However, there is no detailed evidence that it is reducing its carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Many, if not all, of Manduka’s products, use plant-based materials. That means that the brand does not tend to use animal-based products in its manufacturing. There is no fur, leather, wool, or down in the products produced by the brand.