News: Mats.live Launches Community Mat Swap Program
Mats.live is rolling out a pilot mat swap program to help reduce waste and increase access to quality mats. The community-driven initiative connects donors and seekers across cities.
News: Mats.live Launches Community Mat Swap Program
Mats.live today announced the launch of a pilot Community Mat Swap program aimed at reducing waste and improving access to high-quality fitness and therapy mats. The initiative facilitates local exchanges, refurbishing and donation partnerships with studios and community centres.
Program overview
The Mat Swap pilot will run in five cities during Q1 2026. Participants can list gently used mats on the Mats.live swap portal, schedule local drop-offs, or nominate mats for refurbishment. Mats deemed unsuitable for reuse will be recycled through partner facilities.
Why it matters
Millions of mats enter landfill each year as practices change or mats wear out. Many still have usable life left. The swap program reduces waste, provides affordable gear for beginners and supports refurbishment jobs in participating communities.
"Sustainability is only as strong as practical solutions. Our mat swap program connects people directly and keeps usable mats out of the landfill," said Maya Thompson, Editor-in-Chief at Mats.live.
How it works
- Create a listing on mats.live/swap with a photo and condition notes.
- Choose whether to offer the mat for local pick-up, partner refurbishment or donation.
- Coordinate exchange through the platform's messaging system or schedule drop-off at partner locations.
Quality and safety standards
Mats accepted for swap must pass a basic sanitization checklist and meet safety criteria — no significant tears, mold or chemical damage. Community refurbishment partners will deep-clean and repair edges where possible.
Partnerships and impact
Mats.live is collaborating with studio chains, non-profits focused on physical activity access, and local recycling companies that can process mixed-material mats. Early partners include four studios across the pilot cities and a national refurbishment social enterprise.
Call to action
Those interested can sign up at mats.live/swap to list mats, volunteer to help inspect donations, or host a local swap day. The pilot program will publish impact metrics monthly, including mats saved from landfill and mats redistributed.
For media inquiries and partnership opportunities, contact press@mats.live.
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Maya Thompson
Editor-in-Chief
Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.
