How to Recycle Denim & Jeans
Denim jeans, jackets, and related apparel. Wearable pairs belong in thrift or consignment; worn, ripped, or scrap denim can go to Blue Jeans Go Green or retailer denim take-backs that feed insulation and related products.
Quick answer
Donate wearable jeans, or recycle clean dry denim through Blue Jeans Go Green (about 90%+ cotton, any condition including scraps) or Madewell's Do Well trade-up. Those paths often become insulation or packaging fill, not new jeans. Keep denim out of curbside recycling. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Designer or vintage wearable jeans often sell for tens of dollars; recycling grades are low per pound
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Empty all pockets
- 2Remove belts and non-denim accessories
- 3Wash heavily soiled pairs if donating for reuse; recycling programs often accept clean dry denim as-is
- 4Confirm cotton content for Blue Jeans Go Green (typically 90% or more cotton)
- 5Keep items dry; trash moldy denim
Where to Recycle
- Blue Jeans Go Green drop-offs / mail-in
- Madewell stores (Do Well)
- Thrift and consignment for wearable denim
- Textile recycling bins
Special Instructions
Blue Jeans Go Green (Cotton Incorporated) accepts denim apparel and scraps meeting cotton-content rules, including ripped or stained pieces, and transforms them into insulation, packaging insulation, and similar products. Free mail labels ended August 31, 2025; current mail-in instructions allow up to 100 denim pieces per package, with postage paid by the sender, or use participating retailers. Madewell Do Well takes any-brand denim for recycling and may offer a jeans discount; resale runs through Madewell Forever / ThredUp.
Environmental Impact
Recycling denim into insulation and related products keeps cotton fiber out of landfill when donation is not an option. EPA's overall textile recycling rate was 14.7% in 2018.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Cut into cleaning rags
- Tote bags or aprons
- Pet bedding inserts
- Garden knee pads
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Jeans of any brand (wearable or worn)
- Denim jackets and vests
- Denim skirts and shorts
- Denim overalls and jumpsuits
- Denim scraps meeting Blue Jeans Go Green cotton rules
- Vintage and designer denim for resale when wearable
Not Accepted
- Wet, mildewed, or moldy denim
- Denim soaked in oil, paint, or hazardous chemicals
- Non-denim pants mislabeled as jeans
- Items that fail a program's cotton-content minimum (check the current Blue Jeans Go Green collection instructions)
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Designer or vintage wearable jeans often sell for tens of dollars; recycling grades are low per pound
Donation
- Crossroads Trading
- Buffalo Exchange
- Local consignment shops
- Online resale (Depop, Facebook Marketplace) for designer pieces
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
FAQs
Can ripped jeans go to Blue Jeans Go Green?
Yes when they meet the program's cotton-content rules. BJGG accepts denim apparel and scraps including ripped or stained pieces and routes them to insulation and related products.
Does Madewell only take Madewell jeans?
No. Madewell's Do Well denim recycling accepts any-brand denim. Check the current offer for discount eligibility on jeans brought in.
Are stretch jeans with elastane OK?
Often yes for thrift and many textile programs. Blue Jeans Go Green focuses on high cotton content (about 90%+); check the current collection instructions if your pair is heavily stretch.
Is Levi's SecondHand a recycling program?
It is primarily a resale marketplace for wearable Levi's, not a fiber-recycling drop-off. Use BJGG or Madewell Do Well for worn-out denim.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Athletic Shoes & Sneakers
- How to recycle Cotton Clothing & T-Shirts
- How to recycle Bed Linens & Towels
- How to recycle Tyvek Garments
- How to recycle Wool Clothing & Blankets
- How to recycle Underwear, Bras, and Socks
- How to recycle Synthetic Fabrics & Activewear
- How to recycle Wet and Moldy Textiles
- How to recycle Formal Wear & Suits
- How to recycle Curtains & Drapes
Recycle denim & jeans
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