Can I recycle my yoga mat?

No matter what your yoga mat is made from, we can make it into something else. Even the newer sustainable mats can be used in another product life cycle before they decompose. Whether yours is plastic, jute, PVC, natural rubber, latex or wood pulp, we recycle them all!

Do I need to wash my mat before I recycle it?

Like other materials you recycle, clean is best, however it’s not required. If you do want to wash your mat, we have a few suggestions. At RYM we like to wash ours in our front-loading washing machine along with our yoga clothes. However not all washing machines like having mats in them, so if you aren’t sure your machine is up for the challenge, stick to washing it with water and a mild soap. Or by following these ideas from Yoga Journal:

“If your mat is lightly soiled, use a spray bottle, damp sponge, or terry cloth rag to apply a solution of two cups of water and four drops of dish soap. Rub the soiled areas. Wipe the mat with clean water; then rub with a dry terry cloth towel. Hang to air dry.

If your mat is heavily soiled, submerge it in a solution of warm water and mild detergent; use very little soap as any residue may cause the mat to become slippery during future use. Thoroughly hand wash the mat and rinse in clean water. After squeezing out the excess water, lay the mat on a dry towel and roll the mat and towel together. Stepping on the rolled up mat will squeeze more moisture out of the mat and into the towel. Then unroll and hang to air dry.”

What are you doing with all those mats?

Recycling and donation.

Currently, RYM is collecting mats and continuing talks with a number of really amazing manufacturers! RYM is offering the mats to companies that support “conscious consumers” or “LOHAS - Lifestyles of Health And Sustainability” purchasing trends. They are companies and manufacturers that focus on the environment and community as part of their mission and produce products we are proud to support.

We also understand that through the process there will be some mats that can’t be used in new product life cycles. These mats will be donated to organizations in need.

How many mats have you collected?

The number changes daily! We’re currently looking for warehouse space to support our collection growth. We hope to have a counter on the website in the near future so you can see the numbers as we grow.

I’m a member of the media, how can I reach you?

The best way to reach us is by cell phone or email.