Yoga Mat Recycling with Mat Collective

Mat Collective is the first city wide multi-studio yoga mat recycling and upcycling program, referred to by CBC as the first of its kind in Canada. Were committed to minimizing the ecological impact the yoga industry has on our planet and ensuring that anyone, no matter their finances, can have access to a mat for yoga or fitness purposes.

There are two aspects of this project. The first is to recycle unwanted or unused mats by distributing them to those in need on a pay it forward model. Individuals receiving mats have the choice to either share their story on social media or donate a few hours of their time to community projects. The largest outdoor free yoga programming in Western Canada, created by Kits Space, will support and connect people to these recycled mats and community programs.

Worn yoga mats are transformed into new products. We’ve begun an active collaborative process between community members, designers and local businesses to come up with new products. We are internally prototyping different products we can create from yoga mats. To take the prototyping to the next level, we are soon going to open up creation to the community in the form of a hackathon. Still in our founding year, Mat Collective is encouraging the Vancouver community to be actively involved in the upcycling process and waste diversion as a whole.

THE EVENT: Mat Collective joins Kits Space once a week during their free yoga class at Kits Beach. Join us every Wednesday from 7-8pm for yoga and to exchange yoga mats! Find us halfway between Kits Pool and the tennis courts, May through August.

Additional pop ups around Vancouver happen too! Find Mat Collective on Facebook (/matcollective), Instagram (@matcollectiveyvr) and Twitter (@matcollective) to stay up to date with all of our happenings!