Hold on before you donate! Recycle your clothing at these retailers, allowing your items to be repurposed while you earn cash or store credit.

If your closet resembles mine, it’s overflowing. You might have pieces dating back a decade or two, some possibly worn to shreds, or untouched since your school days.

After a recent closet overhaul, you might be ready to part with those jeans that carried you through your first job. Instead of tossing or donating them, think about recycling them at familiar stores. Many retailers will transform them into new products like bags or jackets, while others recycle the fabric for future use. By recycling, you not only keep garments out of landfills but also snag discounts at your favorite shops.

So, where can you get cash or store credits?

Blue Jeans Go Green

Blue Jeans Go Green, the largest denim recycling initiative in the U.S., works with numerous retailers to turn your old denim into fresh items. Check out the hashtag #BlueJeansGoGreen for ideas or to locate participating stores.

Below are retailers offering deals until December 31, 2022, so sift through your wardrobe before the deadline.

  • American Eagle: Bring any old jeans to an American Eagle store and receive $10 off a new pair. Plus, Real Rewards members earn double points.
  • Frank And Oak: Recycle a pair of jeans at Frank And Oak and enjoy 15% off your next denim purchase.
  • Just Black Denim: Order a prepaid mailer, send in your used denim, and receive a 15% discount on a new pair.
  • Ariat: Drop off your worn jeans at Ariat for a $10 discount on a new pair.
  • Madewell: Any time of year, drop off denim at Madewell and get $20 off your next jeans purchase.
  • Pacsun: Recycle any jeans with 90% cotton or more at PacSun and score $10 off a new pair.
  • rag & bone: Bring your denim to a rag & bone location and earn 25% off your entire denim purchase that day.

Many other retailers team up with this program — check their website for a complete list of participating shops.

Speaking of recycling denim, what about other clothing items?

Knickey

People often overlook recycling or donating underwear. But Knickey, a brand known for its organic underwear, is changing that with its recycling initiative. This program won’t create new underwear from your old pairs; instead, they’ll be transformed into materials like insulation or padding. They also accept bras, socks, and tights. Plus, you’ll receive a free pair of Knickey's organic cotton underwear with your next order!

Harper Wilde

Harper Wilde, a bra brand that prides itself on “Bra Shopping without the B.S.,” is also breaking the taboo around donating intimates. They’ve launched the first bra recycling program in the industry: Recycle, Bra. Each order of a sustainable bra includes a recycling kit for sending back your old bras and underwear. You can get a free return label from their website, then drop it off at USPS. Once received, the materials are upcycled into yarns or downcycled for padding. While you won’t earn a discount, you’ll have a hassle-free way to recycle and contribute positively to the planet.

Love Woolies

If you’re like me, you probably have a closet full of sweaters that you don’t wear due to various reasons. Love Woolies is accepting sweaters in any condition, whether they’re damaged or just not your style anymore. They’ll clean, shrink, and repurpose your sweaters. Accepting those with a minimum of 70% wool, Merino wool, and Cashmere, they’ll even send you a Thank You Gift Card for your next purchase when you include your name and email.

Marine Layer

Marine Layer's Re-Spun program lets you recycle t-shirts while earning rewards. For every shirt recycled, you receive $5. You can earn up to $25 with additional shirts. The shirts can be of any brand and condition, excluding activewear fabrics, which are tough to recycle. You can mail them or drop them off at any Marine Layer store.