Did you know that fashion is one of the world’s most polluting industries? An average American throws away over 80 pounds of clothing each year — which collectively adds up to 11 million tons of textile waste in the USA alone.

Innovative Ways to Recycle Clothing

Fortunately, there are many retailers who are working towards more sustainable fashion, and some even provide rewards for recycling old clothes!  ♻️

Textile and Clothing Recycling

In this modern age, most of us are familiar with recycling standard items like paper, plastics, and glass, but when it’s time to clean out the closet, we find ourselves unsure of what things you can recycle and how to recycle old clothes. Continue reading to learn more about the stores and brands that offer rewards for recycling clothes, plus more innovative recycling solutions to get additional use from old clothes.

Recycle Clothing for Rewards

Clothing Recycling for Rewards

If you have a pile of old clothes and want to know where to recycle clothing, the following programs make it easy to recycle used garments while incentivizing customers with money-saving rewards. Enjoy great shopping incentives for recycling old textiles and apparel at these textile recycling locations.

These clothing recycling programs offer a win-win-win scenario: the brand receives increased traffic and loyalty, the environment is spared excess pollution, and you earn shopping discounts and rewards for recycling!

• & Other Stories: recycle textiles and/or beauty containers from any brand in any condition and receive 10% off voucher (see details)
• Abercrombie & Fitch: recycle women’s and kids’ clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from any brand in any condition and receive store credit based on value of items (see details)
• Adidas: recycle shoes, clothing, and accessories from any brand in any condition and receive 200 membership points plus Adidas vouchers based on value of returns (see details)
  • Alternately, the Made to Be Remade line of Adidas products has a separate process to return to Adidas for e-gift card credits
• American Eagle Aerie: recycle jeans from any brand in any condition and receive $10 off new jeans plus 2x points (see details)
• Ariat: recycle jeans from any brand in well-worn condition and receive $10 off coupon (see details)
• Athleta: recycle women’s and kids’ clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from any brand in any condition and receive store credit based on value of items (see details)
• Banana Republic: recycle women’s and kids’ clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from any brand in any condition and receive store credit based on value of items (see details)
• Carter’s: recycle baby & kid clothing from any brand in any (cleaned) condition and receive 75 rewards points (see details)
• Coyuchi: recycle linens from Coyuchi brand in any condition and receive 15% off coupon (see details)
• Cuyana: multiple recycling program options – including recycle clothing items from any brand in any condition for store credit (see details)
• DSW: recycle shoes from any brand in new or gently-worn condition and receive 50 loyalty points (see details)
• Eileen Fisher: recycle clothing from Eileen Fisher brand in any condition and receive $5 in Renew Rewards for each piece returned (see details)
• For Days: recycle clothing from For Days brand in any condition and receive $5 store credit per item (see details)
• Frank And Oak: recycle denim from any brand in any condition and receive 15% off purchase (see details)
• GAP: recycle women’s and kids’ clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from any brand in any condition and receive store credit based on value of items (see details)
• Girlfriend Collective: recycle compressive bras, leggings, and shorts from Girlfriend brand in any condition and receive $15 store credit (see details)
• Guess: recycle 5+ unwanted items of clothing from any brand in any condition and receive 15% off coupon (see details)
• H&M: recycle garments and/or textiles from any brand in any condition and receive 15% off coupon (see details)
• Hackwith Design House: recycle clothing from most lines from Hackwith Design House brand in any condition and receive HDH Bucks (see details)
• Hanky Panky: recycle 4+ pieces of underwear, bras, or socks from any brand in any condition and receive 100 loyalty points (see details)
• Industry Standard: recycle denim from Industry Standard brand in any condition and receive $20 off coupon (see details)
• J. Jill: recycle clothing from any brand in gently-worn condition and receive $10 off coupon per each item donated (see details)
  • Only valid during annual Compassion Fund Clothing Drive events (previous events were held at the beginning of October). Follow social media or subscribe to J. Jill to be notified of event dates.
• Just Black Denim: recycle denim from any brand in any condition and receive 15% off coupon (see details)
• Knickey: recycle undies, bras, socks, tights, and cloth face masks (womens, mens, and kids) from any brand in any (cleaned) condition and receive free organic cotton Knickeys undies with purchase (see details)
  • Note that recycling shipping labels have a cost of $5
• Levi’s: recycle Levi’s adult jeans, denim shorts, and Trucker Jackets from Levi’s brand in wearable condition and receive store credit based on value of items recycled (see details)
• Lucky Brand: recycle jeans from Lucky Brand brand in gently worn condition and receive $20 off coupon (see details)
• lululemon: recycle clothing and bags from lululemon brand in good condition and receive store credit based on items returned (see details)
• Madewell: recycle jeans from any brand in any condition and receive $20 off of a brand-new pair of Madewell jeans (see details)
  • May also recycle any brand of women’s and kids’ clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories for via thredUP for Madewell credit
• Marine Layer: recycle tee-shirts from any brand in any condition and receive $5 store credit (see details)
• Nisolo: recycle shoes from any brand in any condition and receive $40 off coupon (see details)
• O.N.S Clothing: recycle jeans from any brand in any condition and receive 20% off purchase (see details)
• PacSun: recycle denim from any brand in any condition and receive $10 off coupon (see details)
• Patagonia: recycle most products from Patagonia brand in good condition and receive store credit based on items returned (see details)
• Rag & Bone: recycle denim from any brand in any condition and receive 25% off denim purchase (see details)
• Reformation: recycle shoes, denim, sweaters, and activewear from Ref brand in any condition and receive store credit based on items returned (see details)
  • May also recycle any brand of women’s and kids’ clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories via thredUP for Ref credit
• REI: recycle clothing and gear sold at REI brand in gently-used condition and receive store credit based on item values (see details)
• Runners Roost: recycle sports bras from any brand in lightly-used condition and receive $5 off discount (see details)
  • Additionally, all Runners Roost locations offer free shoe recycling
• Soma: recycle bras from any brand in new or gently used condition and receive 1500 loyalty points (see details)
• The North Face: recycle apparel and footwear from any brand in gently-used condition and receive $10 off coupon (see details)
• Thousand Fell: recycle shoes from Thousand Fell brand in any condition and receive $20 account credit (see details)
• Timbuk2: recycle bags from Timbuk2 brand in any condition and receive 20% discount (see details)
• tonlé: recycle any from tonlé brand in good condition and receive tonlé activists points based on garment value (see details)
• Vert Toi: recycle tee shirts from Vert Toi brand in any condition and receive 20% off on a replacement tee (see details)
• Zero Waste Daniel: recycle any from ZWD brand in good condition and receive store credit based on value of garments (see details)

In addition to offering fashion recycling rewards, many of the designers above are also recycled clothes designers and have product lines of fashion made with recycled materials.

Other Ways to Recycle Clothing

While it’s always nice to get a bonus where you can, it’s good to have other ways recycle old clothes when you need them. These options provide additional ways to find new uses for old textiles and help to keep usable materials out of landfills.

Free Clothing Recycling Programs

These clothing recycling programs are offered free to customers under certain conditions. Learn more about how to recycle clothes and shoes no longer in use and give the material a new life outside of the landfill.

• Nike: recycle athletic sneakers from any brand in any condition
  • does not accept sandals, dress shoes, boots, or shoes with metal (like cleats or spikes)
• Planet Aid: fabric recycling of clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, curtains, sleeping bags, socks, underwear, and bras from any brand in well-worn (minor tears, stains, or imperfections are okay) condition
  • Alternately, a “Give Back Box” shipping label may be purchased and printed for mailing up to 70 pounds of used clothes, shoes, books, small electronics, and housewares to their thrift store in Rockville, Md.
• Teva: recycle sandals and flip-flops from Teva brand in any condition
• UNIQLO: recycle clothing from UNIQLO and GU brands in any condition
• Zappos: recycle shoes from any brand in any condition
  • donate new and gently used shoes and apparel via Soles4Soles
  • donate denim to recycle via Blue Jeans Go Green
  • donate shoes in any condition for recycling via Native Shoes Remix Project

Host or Attend a Clothing Swap

Host or attend a Clothes Swap event!

At some point, many of us find that we have outgrown items in our wardrobes, even if the garments are still in great condition.  These gently-used items are perfect choices for a clothing swap! Plus, a clothing swap is a great excuse to get together with friends and freshen up everyone’s look without spending any money!

• Pick a date for the clothing swap
• Invite guests
• Let guests know what items will be swapped at your event
  • Clothing and shoes in good condition (women, men, children, sports, etc)
  • Other items of your choice (household linens, small appliances, home decor, etc)
• Exchange clothes and enjoy new wardrobe items and less clutter from things that aren’t utilized!

Upcycle Clothing

Upcycling is the art of creating something new and valuable using repurposed products. Generally, the new finished product is considered an upgrade (upcycle = upgrade original item).

Get creative with your upcycling ideas and design custom looks by embellishing old clothes with patches, new stitching, rhinestones, and appliques. Cut off old blue jeans and remake them into your new favorite pair of jean shorts. Plus, those with more advanced skills can sew totally new items like reusable tote bags, throw pillow covers, stuffed toys, and much more!

Downcycle Clothing

If you are wondering what is the difference between upcycling and downcycling, you are not alone. They are both somewhat generic terms for repurposing an item for something other than the original intended use, but generally speaking, downcycling involves using the original item for a less valuable purpose. This includes cutting up old clothes for household rags, using old towels as pet bedding, and so on.

Donate to Shelters

If you have gently used clothing items that you no longer need, consider donating them to a local shelter that can immediately benefit members of your community.

Donate to Local Thrift Stores

Clothing Recycling and Donations

Local thrift stores like Goodwill offer an easy way to donate your old clothing and help it find a new life.

Items in good condition are resold in stores, but some thrift stores also recycle unusable textiles instead of sending them to landfills. Thrift store participation in textile recycling can vary, so it is advised to call your local stores to inquire about their current recycling policies.

Sell Used Clothing

In addition to the above programs that recycle old clothing into something new, clothing in great condition may be sold for cash to online consignment shops including Poshmark, Swap.com, TheRealReal, and thredUP.

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Recycle Clothes and Earn Rewards

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In addition to all the great places where you can be rewarded for recycling your clothing and shoes, make sure to check out the places you can be rewarded for recycling:

• Earn Rewards for Recycling Beauty Product Containers
• Earn Rewards for Recycling Electronics
• How to Recycle Household Items

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What are your favorite ways to recycle old clothes? Do you know of additional recycling ideas that should be added to the list?