Recycling Mystery: Yoga Mats

[ad_1]

As someone who enjoys yoga and spends a little time every day in various poses, I know the struggle of using a yoga mat past its prime. Some mats wear down faster than others, but I find that I usually need to replace my mat every couple of years. So, finding a sustainable way to dispose of it is a top priority.

Fortunately, there are more options available than simply sending old yoga mats to the landfill. They can be reused in a variety of ways. But recycling them can be quite a challenge.

How To Recycle Yoga Mats

Most popular yoga mats are made from PVC (plastic resin code #3), which is one of the most difficult plastics to recycle. Even if your local recycling center accepts PVC, they may not take yoga mats, so be sure to call first. If your local center won’t accept them, there aren’t many recycling options available.

A very few companies do accept old yoga mats for recycling. One company that offers a recycling program is LovEarth in Australia. When you purchase one of LovEarth’s sustainable yoga mats, they provide the option to request a mailing slip so you can send them your old mat for upcycling or recycling. Not only will you get rid of an old PVC mat, but the new mat you purchase from them is biodegradable and much safer for the environment.

Another option is Manduka.com’s LiveON program. When you buy a new Manduka mat, you can choose to add the LiveON program to your purchase. After your new Manduka mat arrives, you simply send back your old mat — no matter what brand — in the same box. If the old mat is still usable, it will be cleaned and donated; otherwise, it will be downcycled into new products.

If you’d like to purchase a recycled mat, take a look at Suga’s recycled wetsuit yoga mats. The company also accepts worn-out SugaMats (and old wetsuits, of course) for recycling into new SugaMats.

Other companies have started yoga mat recycling programs, only to shut them down. Before you purchase your next mat, consider calling the manufacturer of your old mat to see if they have a take-back program. And check with the manufacturer of the new mat you’re purchasing to find out if they have a recycling program.

close-up of rolled-up yoga mat
Before you purchase your next yoga mat, ask the manufacturer if they have a recycling program. Image: pixalcreatures, Pixabay

How To Reuse Yoga Mats

There are many creative ways to reuse old yoga mats to give them a little more life before it’s time for disposal. Here are a few suggestions, but you can explore even more ideas on Jade Yoga’s website.

Use as a Doormat

Use a few old mats as doormats. They’re perfect for guests to keep their shoes on and are also very easy to clean. Simply wipe them down to get rid of any dirt and they’re good to go.

Use as a Liner or Padding

Yoga mats work great as makeshift liners. Whether you use them in kitchen drawers or on bookshelves, these mats have just the right texture to hold things in place. Just measure the mat to the right size, cut it out carefully, and fit it into place. Old mats also work well under area rugs to stop slippage and add padding.

Use in the Garden

An old yoga mat can make a great kneeling pad for when you’re working in the garden. Just trim it down to the appropriate size. You can even cut a few strips and glue them together — or simply fold it over a few times — to give yourself even more cushioning.

Donate Your Yoga Mat

If you gave yoga a try for a while and then decided to quit, your mat probably still has some life left in it. You can reach out to local yoga studios or community and youth centers to see if they accept mat donations. In some cases, they will take them and give them out to others who can’t afford their own.

However you decide to recycle or reuse your old yoga mat, you’ll feel less stressed knowing you’re doing your part for our planet.

Feature image: StockSnap, Pixabay. Originally published on January 16, 2019, this article was updated in November 2021.



[ad_2]

Original Post

36 thoughts on “Recycling Mystery: Yoga Mats

  • 5 December 2022 at 6:35 pm
    Permalink

    Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little out of track! come on!

    Reply
  • 19 December 2022 at 12:58 pm
    Permalink

    Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

    Reply
  • 30 December 2022 at 11:03 pm
    Permalink

    Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task.

    Reply
  • 31 December 2022 at 5:43 pm
    Permalink

    I do believe all of the ideas you have introduced for your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for novices. May just you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

    Reply
  • 3 January 2023 at 11:44 am
    Permalink

    Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

    Reply
  • 16 January 2023 at 6:39 am
    Permalink

    I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.

    Reply
  • 2 March 2023 at 1:26 am
    Permalink

    I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.

    Reply
  • 13 April 2023 at 3:26 pm
    Permalink

    I have learn some excellent stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you place to create the sort of magnificent informative website.

    Reply
  • 15 April 2023 at 3:32 am
    Permalink

    I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

    Reply
  • 16 April 2023 at 6:20 pm
    Permalink

    As a Newbie, I am continuously browsing online for articles that can aid me. Thank you

    Reply
  • 5 May 2023 at 10:18 pm
    Permalink

    magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!

    Reply
  • 17 June 2023 at 12:36 pm
    Permalink

    There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.

    Reply
  • 25 August 2023 at 12:51 pm
    Permalink

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

    Reply
  • 21 December 2023 at 2:31 am
    Permalink

    As I website owner I think the written content here is very good, thanks for your efforts.

    Reply
  • 6 March 2024 at 8:01 pm
    Permalink

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

    Reply
  • 10 March 2024 at 8:37 am
    Permalink

    Hi! I’ve been reading your weblog for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the great job!

    Reply
  • 1 April 2024 at 1:55 am
    Permalink

    I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.

    Reply
  • 1 April 2024 at 12:23 pm
    Permalink

    of course like your web site but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to inform the truth however I will certainly come back again.

    Reply
  • 10 April 2024 at 2:19 am
    Permalink

    What is Alpha Tonic? Alpha Tonic stands as a natural health supplement designed to comprehensively address men’s overall well-being.

    Reply
  • 13 April 2024 at 9:04 pm
    Permalink

    You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be actually something which I believe I might never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very vast for me. I’m looking ahead on your subsequent submit, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

    Reply
  • 16 April 2024 at 1:03 am
    Permalink

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

    Reply
  • 16 April 2024 at 2:48 pm
    Permalink

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

    Reply
  • 18 April 2024 at 5:50 am
    Permalink

    An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers

    Reply
  • 18 April 2024 at 11:07 am
    Permalink

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100 positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos

    Reply
  • 21 April 2024 at 4:02 pm
    Permalink

    The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.

    Reply
  • 25 April 2024 at 9:17 pm
    Permalink

    I visited a lot of website but I conceive this one has got something special in it in it

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *