Factory-Seconds - How to Save A Yoga Mat
Why buy factory-seconds?
We want to promote environmental sustainability through reduction of perfectly usable yoga mats being sent to landfill. We always ensure that we use local products if possible and ensure that our partner suppliers have environmental policies that do not conflict with our own. It is for this reason that we are able to source these mats at a discounted rate, and pass this discount on to you!
Consider this…if you were to make a batch of cakes and one differed marginally from the rest in terms of aesthetics…would you still eat it, or throw it away? Would you go to a farmers market and not buy fruit and vegetables due to the shape or variation? We live in a world where everyone expects perfection – but why not be imperfectly perfect? To us – this is more natural and sustainable.
Why sign up to the Advance Notice List?
If you teach yoga, pilates or own a studio, we highly recommend that you sign up to our advance list. The sought-after seconds sell out very quickly online. By signing up to the list, we will be able to send you a list of mats arriving. You will then be able to pre-order the mats of your choice in a higher volume before they go online.
But what about PVC?
Our Planet Sadhana mats are considered ‘mats for life’ and we often have customers that have bought mats from us 10 + years ago getting in touch to let us know – or sourcing the same ones for friends/students. Our mats are made with PVC but consider this - these mats last a lifetime and therefore may only need to be bought once.
Compare this with some of the more ‘eco-friendly’ materials that need to be replaced more frequently (often at least every year!). Upon considering factory emissions, transport, wrapping, printing and delivery the footprint of these mats over a lifetime is much less! In particular it is worth noting is the increased demand for rubber means that more tropical rainforest will be cut down since rubber trees only grow in the tropics!
Don’t just take our word for it – there is plenty research to be found on the unsustainability of rubber. If you are looking for an extremely durable mat, which does not need to be replaced regularly then PVC is the obvious choice (as other sustainable materials do not have the durability required and therefore need to be repeatedly replaced!).
So how can I help by buying one mat?
What should I expect from the quality of my factory-second yoga mat?
Every one of these EU-made mats are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 tested which means they have been independently checked for harmful substances to ‘product class 1 standard’ (for babies and toddlers!). We would hate to see these lovely mats wasted!
Upon receipt of any factory-second order we spend a day going through each box checking the standard of the seconds. We will always aim to keep the Outlet up to date with particulars (such as the batch being thin, or having a particular mark etc). Any mats that we deem to be usable but are particularly ‘unique’ are then donated to the Prison Pheonix Trust. This way there is absolutely no waste – and you can count on the factory-seconds being in good condition!
The factory-seconds that we have for sale on the Outlet are ones that differ marginally from the specifications or have small marks etc. Please be assured that we would never send you an unusable mat – or one which has extremely bad marks etc. Every mat sent is perfectly usable; any aesthetic defects do not affect the functionality of the mat.
Things that might be present on your factory second…
- Slightly thicker/thinner than specifications
- Slight bubbling/tiny marks
- Slightly longer/shorter/wider etc
- Slight ridging/indents/lines (which does not impact functionality).
We truly can’t remember the last time someone was not happy with the mat they received! Normally these surpass expectations and are a real bargain.
Why sign up to the Advance Notice List?
If you teach yoga, pilates or own a studio, we highly recommend that you sign up to our advance list. The sought-after seconds sell out very quickly online. By signing up to the list, we will be able to send you a list of mats arriving. You will then be able to pre-order the mats of your choice in a higher volume before they go online.
These mats look great. I’m starting to host some yoga classes in Edinburgh, is there a price for the pro mats as seconds? I’ll be looking for 12 or 15.
Thank you
Sandy
Thanks for giving the useful information by this blog.
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