A 2022 report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology suggests that only around 15% of used clothes and textiles in the US are reused or recycled. The
The remaining 85% end up in landfills or incinerators, wasting resources and harming the environment.
This low percentage highlights the importance of recycling efforts. Fortunately, many stores are stepping up to help combat this issue. By accepting your old clothes for recycling, these stores make it easier to give your wardrobe a second life. Here are some stores where you can recycle your old clothes and make a positive impact on the environment.
H&M
H&M’s garment recycling program, launched in 2013, lets customers bring any brand of unwanted clothing to their stores for recycling. Since its inception, H&M has collected over 172,700 tons of textiles globally. H&M has also introduced the Looop system, which recycles old garments into new fashion items without using water or chemicals, significantly reducing environmental impact. H&M aims for all materials used in their products to be either recycled or sustainably sourced.
Patagonia
Patagonia’s Worn Wear program is designed to reduce textile waste by extending the life of used clothing through repair, reuse, and recycling. The program also offers a $20 credit for qualifying items, encouraging customers to participate actively. Patagonia has successfully recycled many old clothes through this program. By focusing on high-quality, durable garments, Patagonia strives to lowerl impact of clothing production and waste on the environment.
The North Face
The North Face’s Clothes the Loop program encourages customers to recycle clothing and shoes they have used from any brand. By bringing your old items to any North Face retail store, you help reduce waste and support the creation of new products. Official members can bring their used North Face clothing and shoes to any store and get a $10 shopping credit. This initiative aligns with the company’s broader commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
Levi’s
Levi’s has established a robust recycling program in partnership with Cotton Incorporated’s Blue Jeans Go Green initiative. This program allows customers to bring any brand of clean, dry denim clothing to dedicated bins at Levi’s stores across the United States. The collected denim is then transformed into insulation materials for schools, libraries, and low-income housing built by Habitat for Humanity. In return, participants receive a 20% discount on their next Levi’s purchase.
Madewell
Madewell’s recycling program, in partnership with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™, encourages customers to bring in old denim (any brand) to be repurposed. For each pair of jeans you donate, you receive a $20 discount on the MRP of a new pair of Madewell jeans. Since the program’s inception, Madewell has recycled over 1.4 million pieces of denim, creating 2.8 million square feet of insulation and diverting 703 tons of waste from landfills. By 2023, they aim to collect two million pairs through their Madewell Forever initiative.
Reformation
Reformation’s RefRecycling program is designed to keep used clothes out of landfills by transforming them back into wearable items. Reformation has also collaborated with thredUP to offer customers the option to sell or recycle their old clothes. Customers can drop off or mail in old Reformation garments, including shoes, denim, sweaters, outerwear, and activewear, and receive store credit for their contributions. By focusing on recycling and reusing materials, Reformation helps reduce overall emissions by decreasing the need for new raw materials.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo’s recycling program, RE.UNIQLO, is a comprehensive initiative designed to give new life to used clothing. In the United States, Uniqlo encourages customers to bring their pre-worn Uniqlo items to any of its stores, where the garments are collected and either recycled into new products or distributed to those in need. Since its launch in 2006, the program has collected over 65.94 million pieces of clothing globally.
Universal Standard
Universal Standard has introduced an innovative recycling program called Reset, Recycle, and Refresh, which partners with the recycling company Marimole to give your old clothes a new life. By purchasing a $4.50 recycling bag, you can fill it with 1 to 4 pieces of clothing from any brand and send it to Marimole. In return, you’ll receive up to $100 worth of store credits, that you can use for future purchases at the store. This program not only helps reduce textile waste but also encourages sustainable fashion practices.
Carter’s
Carter’s has introduced KIDCYCLE™, a nationwide recycling program for baby and children’s clothing. In collaboration with TerraCycle, this initiative aims to make it easy for parents to recycle their kids’ old clothes. Once received, the clothing is sorted by fabric type, shredded, and transformed into materials for new uses, such as home insulation and stuffing for furniture and workout equipment.
Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher’s Renew program exemplifies their commitment to sustainability by giving old garments a second life. Since its inception in 2009, the program has collected over two million pieces of clothing. Customers can return any Eileen Fisher clothing, regardless of condition, and receive a $5 reward per item. These items are then sorted, cleaned, and either resold or transformed into new products.
Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear’s ReThreads program is designed to help lower the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills. Launched nationwide in over 100 Columbia stores, this program allows customers to drop off used garments, outerwear, and footwear for recycling. Items collected are sent to a processing facility through I: CO, a global textile recycling solutions provider. Wearable items are resold as second-hand goods, while non-wearable items are repurposed into products like cleaning cloths or recycled into new fibers for insulation and fabrics.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective’s ReGirlfriend program focuses on recycling old clothes to combat textile waste. Launched in 2019, this initiative encourages customers to return worn-out Girlfriend Collective garments, which are upcycled into new products. The program not only accepts old Girlfriend Collective items but also other brands, providing store credit in return—$10 per Girlfriend item and $5 per non-Girlfriend item.
