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Unfortunately, far too many old yoga mats end up in landfill.  Here are just a few ideas on how to repurpose yours:

Yoga

• Cut into smaller pieces and use to protect knees, hands and feet whilst doing moves where a full size mat isn't practical.
• For those with tight knees, cut your old mat into rectangles, roll tightly, and tape closed. Place behind to knee then bend / kneel to hold it in place, allowing the knee to open gently.

Children

• Use as a children's play mat
• Use as a craft mat for playing with play dough and other messy activities
• Place in the bath when you're travelling to help stop your baby sliding around
• Cover up sharp corners
• Make toys and costumes - Cut circles out and make frisbees; cut holes and create masks, hats, costumes and props; cut into shapes and letters for tub and pool toys.
• Cut into squares for easy to carry baseball bases.

Home & gifts

• Make a computer mouse mat
• Secure to the back of a decorative tile - a great trivet / hot pad
• Drawer & shelf liners
• Place underneath a decorative mat to help keep it in place 
• Grip pads to help with opening jars.
• Floor protector pads - stick discreet pieces to the bottom of chair and table legs to help stop your wooden floor from being scratched.
• Cut up and use as coasters.  Attach laminated pictures or designs to match your decor.
• Shoe insoles
• A mechanics floor mat
• To line your truck bed
• Use as mats for muddy shoes in your foyer.
• Hang on the wall to help soundproof noisy garage studios.
• Cut to size and use as a non-slip mat on your work bench.
• Use as a protector of valuables while moving or shipping.

Crafts

• Tree ornaments & mobiles - just use cookie cutters.  Or cut into a big square, fold and cut out a snowflake design - add a hole in the top, paint white with non-toxic paint and hang.
• If you like to sew, cut up and use as the lining to laptop, tablet and phone cases. 
• Cut into shapes and use as stamps with non-toxic paints. Glue a couple of layers together or to a cork or a block of wood to make them easier to handle. 

Pets & animals

• Cover your car's backseat before the dog gets in.  It helps them to stop sliding around and helps you keep hairs off the upholstery.
• Use as a base to your pet carriers.
• Use it underneath your pet's feeding dish to stop it sliding around.
• Use underneath litter boxes

Gardening

• Cut into smaller rectangles and fix several layers together to create a comfortable kneeling pad.
• Lay your old mat out over an area of the garden that you want to sow.  The darkness and warmth from the mat in the sunshine will help kill weeds.
• Cut into strips and use for drainage in your flower pots.

Outdoors

• Use as a mat underneath your sleeping bag.  If it still has a bit of grip left in it, you can use it to do yoga on the go too.
• Use it as an entry mat to put your dirty shoes on outside your tent 
• Use it on the beach instead of a towel - save your towel from getting all sandy
• Keep in the car and use as an impromptu picnic mat. Great for keeping the shopping from sliding around too.
• Bleacher seat padding

Donate

• Donate to your local homeless shelter for use as sleeping pads.
• Donate to your local seniors centre.  If not used for gentle exercises, they're great as a bed mat to prevent slips when getting in and out of bed.
• Donate to your local prison - prisoners do yoga too.
• Donate to your local animal shelter.
• Search on the internet for local reuse programs.

Recycle

• Many old yoga mats are actually made from materials that are now easily recycled.  Check with your local recycling station to see what's covered in your area.