Yes, as tree_and_leaf says, old carpet has been Traditionally used for weed-suppression -- you stick it down over the soil you want cleared of weeds, and it blocks light and is tough enough to prevent things growing up through it sufficiently rapidly to take over.

Which is fine if it's all made of hemp and wool and will actually biodegrade in a human lifespan! And is much less good if it's entirely made of plastic.