I have a pile of old jeans that are too worn or ripped to donate, but I hate to just toss them in the trash. I thought denim was often recycled, but I can't find a program. The Gap used to have an old jeans trade-in program, but they discontinued it. Does anyone know of a denim recycling program? Or do you just throw your worn jeans in the trash? I am in the Twin Cities, MN, but I'd be curious to hear about any programs anywhere in the country.
Update: I posted them for free on Craigslist and got an inquiry about whether they are "red tag" Levis. In fact, three of them are, which makes me wonder if they have value. Anyone know?
The Craigslist inquirer tells me by email that yes, "red tag Levis" have value no matter what condition. I'm going to hang onto those three for now until I find out how much "value" or figure out what to do with them. The others, in very poor condition, will go in the trash! I like the quilter idea and I have donated to quilters at my church before, but two of the jeans might not even be good enough for that. Thanks! If anyone else has any idea about the value of "red tag Levis" please let me know.
Think about the amount of time you are spending researching when you could just pitch them.
I might make a couple of phone calls to see if any groups might want the material but I would not spend a lot of time tracking down programs. I would toss them in the trash.
I upcycle mine. Pinterest gives lots of great ideas, and sewing is a hobby of mine. Heck, everyone in my family keeps their jeans for me to use. Lol.
Search for textile recycling in your area. A quick search, if you really are in Saint Paul, came up with a place called Eureka Recycling, where you can drop off clothes and linens for recycling:
http://www.eurekarecycling.org/page.cfm?ContentID=88#sort...
Our schools have a truck that comes twice a year where you can bring textiles that are too worn out to donate but can be recycled. There might be an organization in your area that hosts a permanent drop bin.
Quilters will often take worn out jeans and make quilts. Call the local quilters guild.
not sure of the value. can't imagine it is all that much. but maybe people are just comparing that to walmart brand or something. I have heard that clothing in US is very inexpensive and over abundant as opposed to other countries maybe someone is sending them back across seas?
or maybe red tag makes for a certain kind of upcycled craft??
I know lots of people who make picnic blankets by sewing the back pocket sections together.
Goodwill puts worn out clothing, towels, sheets, etc into a big bin. When the crate is full, it is sold and recycled into industrial rags and such. Even the worn out, stained up clothing can be used in this way, but people usually feel weird about donating their 'garbage'. It helps to label the box/bag as industrial scrap so the workers don't have to sort it.
In answer to your question about the "red tag Levis". I've heard they are valuable no matter what condition they are in. You could try putting them on ebay.
Why not make a few bucks?
call around for a quilter-they love denim-i had 2 quilts made for my kids out of their jeans they out grew-that was 20+yrs ago-they still have them.made a great xmas present
Check with churches that have quilting groups. I don't know that they would buy them from you, but they would definitely take them for quilts.
Check with a quilting store in your area. They might know of someone or a place that will take the used denim and recycle it. Maybe the Girl Scouts have an upcoming project that they could use them.
If you are crafty you could cut it up and make up a few quilts and use them on your bed or for trips.
It's a start. I don't know. I would take them from you and use them in quilts but the shipping would be too much.
the other S.
