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So you’ve just unrolled your brand new yoga mat. Everything about it is just right, from its thickness to its grip. But amid the excitement of unboxing, you’ve forgotten about one *minor* detail. What do you do with your old yoga mat?
It’s tempting to shove your used yoga mat in a closet so you can, well, forget about it altogether (until you’re searching for a jacket and the mat tumbles out in a mess of other “forgotten” items). But just because your used mat is no longer up to the task of supporting your yoga practice doesn’t mean it can’t have a new purpose.
Whether you recycle, donate, or reuse it, there are many ways to ensure your used yoga mat doesn’t go to waste.
Are Yoga Mats Recyclable?
It depends.
If your mat is ripped, worn, no longer grippy, or otherwise unusable, consider recycling it. Mats made from natural rubber or cork are usually recyclable. But many inexpensive and slightly older yoga mats are made from difficult-to-recycle materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or manmade rubber. Not all recycling centers process these materials, so Google what the recycling rules are for your city.
If you’re uncertain about the material of your mat, it takes less than five minutes to check online for the specs of whatever brand and style of mat you own.
Some companies do the recycling for you. Yoga mat maker Manduka partners with the consumer trade-in service SuperCircle to send you a prepaid label to ship your “pre-loved” yoga mat from any brand and “responsibly recycle your mats into component parts.” Nothing ends up in a landfill and you’ll receive a 20 percent discount on anything from Manduka.
Where to Donate Yoga Mats
If your mat is relatively new or in usable condition, consider donating it to a nonprofit, charity, or other organization that accepts mat donations. That said, before you feel all do-gooder-y, keep in mind that if it’s worn or scratched to the point where you wouldn’t want to practice on it, chances are no one else would want to, either.
Google “yoga mat donations near me” or consider any of the following local organizations:
- Shelters for the unhoused and survivors of domestic abuse
- Adult care centers
- Local animal shelters
- Public schools or youth center
- Community centers
- Thrift stores
Also, some organizations place donated mats with teachers bringing yoga to the community, including:
25 Unexpected Ways to Reuse Your Yoga Mat
You never know how that worn yoga mat might support you in ways outside of your practice.
- Take advantage of your mat’s sticky qualities by using it as a nonslip liner for the trunk of your car.
- Keep it in your backseat as an easy-to-clean way to protect leather or upholstery from pet fur. Also works well to contain the mess from wet or muddy athletic shoes and equipment.
- Use it as a backdrop to your child’s latest artwork session—especially when glue or glitter or other magnificently messy ingredients are involved.
- Line your pet’s crate with it for cushioning or their carrier for less sliding.
- Trim to size and adhere to the bottoms of chair and table legs as a way to prevent scuffs and scratches on your floors.
- Take it to any athletic happening you attend and rely on it as protectant against wet grass, ridiculously hard bleachers or stadium chairs, or benches dappled with bird poop.
- Cut to fit the base of your pet’s food and water bowls to keep them from sliding.
- Stack it beneath your current yoga mat for extra cushiness during yin and restorative practices.
- Place it alongside your new mat when you practice at home to give your pet the mat they’ve always seemed to want (and maybe they’ll stop crowding or scratching yours).
- Put together a jigsaw puzzle on it. When you want to walk away from the unfinished project, simply roll the entire shebang up and come back to it later.
- Unfurl it as a shoe mat outside the front of your tent when camping to help keep dirt out of your quarters. Actually, you could do the same at home next to the front door.
- If it still has decent grip, cut a small piece and stash it in a kitchen drawer for use as a jar opener.
- Roll it tightly, fix it in place with glue or fabric strips, and use it as a mini bolster beneath your knees during seated stretches or Savasana.
- Fold it over itself and kneel on it as a cushion when gardening.
- Line your tool drawer or shelf with it.
- Keep the next cardboard coffee sleeve you get with your caffeine fix and use it as a stencil to fashion your own reusable coffee sleeve.
- Cut and use as a liner for drawers or shelves in the kitchen.
- If your mat has a grippy bottom, layer it underneath a rug to prevent slipping.
- Fashion strips cut to length of a door or windowsill, roll, and tuck them in place for draft protection.
- Cut into shapes for child’s play, such as letters of the alphabet or bases for kickball.
- Use it as your background when cutting out sewing patterns.
- Place it inside your car as a dashboard protector.
- Stash it in the garage for when your car starts to leak oil.
- Rely on it to cushion mirrors or artwork when moving or putting it into storage.
- Plop it in front of the tub to catch drips when extricating fur babies (or actual babies) from the bath.
This article has been updated. Originally published February 28, 2010.
