denim gold

Don’t throw out that denim! Pure cotton denim is gold. But where does someone start? Maybe a store credit from Madewell? Perhaps a local seamstress for some quick repairs? Or a quick YouTube tutorial on how to add some cute patches? Here is a cute guide on where to start with your valuable textile.

♻️ Key Companies & Programs That Help Recycle or Reuse Denim

1. Blue Jeans Go Green (Cotton Incorporated)

   • This is one of the biggest denim‑specific recycling programs. They accept cotton denim (at least ~90% cotton) of almost any condition. BlueJeansGoGreen+1

   • The denim is recycled and turned into cotton‑fiber insulation (for buildings, pet beds, thermal packaging, etc.) via a partner called Bonded Logic. BlueJeansGoGreen+1

   • You can drop off denim at participating retailers or mail it in. BlueJeansGoGreen

2. Levi’s SecondHand & Trade‑In Program

   • Levi’s accepts used Levi’s jeans, jackets, and denim items in their stores. Levi's Customer Service+1

   • For wearable denim, you can get a gift card to purchase something new. Levi's Customer Service

   • For denim that’s too worn to be resold, Levi’s will recycle it via Blue Jeans Go Green. Levi Strauss & Co

   • Levi’s also promotes repair: their Tailor Shops can mend denim to extend its life. Levi Strauss & Co

3. Madewell / ThredUp Denim Trade-In

   • Madewell has a “Trade In Your Denim” program. You can bring in jeans of nearly any brand. Madewell Forever

   • After trading in, they either resell usable denim or recycle the rest through Blue Jeans Go Green. Money Crashers

   • You also get a $20 credit toward a new pair of Madewell jeans as a thank‑you for recycling. Madewell Forever

4. H&M Garment Collecting Program

   • H&M has textile collection boxes in their stores. You can bring any brand’s clothes, including denim, as long as they’re clean. H&M

   • They partner with recycling companies (like REMONDIS) to sort the collected materials for reuse, resale, or recycling into new products. H&M

   • Some of their “Jeans Redesign” collection is also made with recycled materials to encourage a circular denim lifecycle. H&M

5. MUD Jeans

   • A Dutch sustainable denim brand with a take-back program: customers can send their old jeans to MUD for free. Wikipedia

   • They also have a “lease-a-jeans” model: you can lease jeans, and at the end of the lease, return them to be recycled or upcycled. Wikipedia

6. Bear & Birches / ReBearth Program

   • Bear & Birches runs a denim recycling program called ReBearth. When you return your old jeans, they work with TerraCycle® to recycle them. Bear & Birches

   • They cover the shipping cost, and in return, you get a $20 credit toward your next Bear & Birches purchase. Bear & Birches

7. Looptworks

   • Based in Portland, Looptworks upcycles textile waste (including denim) into new products like bags, accessories, and clothing. Wikipedia

   • Their mission is “to follow the waste stream” and turn pre- and post-consumer waste into limited-edition goods. Wikipedia