All Yoga Mats Go to Heaven: Recycle!

If your yoga mat has met its last toe shedding (you know those little bits of mat that end up all over the floor after many sun salutes) and you’re ready to lay the baby to rest but not sure how to dispose of it, wipe those guilty tears away and recycle!

We know, it’s sad, but all yoga mats can go to heaven. Thanks to elephantbeans for alerting us to the Recycle Your Mat initiative, an organization that has made it a mission to reduce the amount of yoga mats headed to landfills. You can ship your mat to them or find drop-off locations near you (ps. if your local studio isn’t collecting already you can get them involved too).

“The people of Recycle Your Mat, as individuals and together as an organization, seek to solve environmental challenges in a socially responsible manner.”

Super! But,  if you’re struggling with the idea of parting with your trusty mat – you’ve been through so much together! – have a look at these 50 ways to Reuse your mat.

While “tree ornaments” are kind of a stretch there are some good ideas. A few of the best:

• Dog & cat dishes stay put. Cut to size required. – A. O., Trumbull, CT
• Cut the mat into squares and use them as “bases” while playing baseball with the kids. Easy to carry and easy to clean! – J. C., New York, NY
• I made one of those garden knee pads to kneel on by cutting the mat into even sections and binding the ends with twine. – K. F., Manassas, VA

Also, “sit-upons” for games, picnics etc.