As summer comes to a close and the new school year approaches, it might be time to declutter your closet and make room for new items. But what should you do with the clothes you no longer wear? Donating them to someone in need is always a great option, but with the rise of fast fashion and its negative impact on the environment, many brands are now offering sustainability initiatives to recycle old clothes and reduce waste.
One such brand is H&M, which has a garment collection program that accepts any kind of clothing from any brand, in any condition. When you bring your old clothes to an H&M location, you will receive a „thank-you coupon“ for a 15% discount on your next purchase. This initiative not only encourages customers to recycle their old clothes but also rewards them for doing so.
American Eagle is another brand that has joined the sustainability movement with its RealRewards program. Members can bring any old pair of jeans into a store and receive $10 off a new pair of jeans. This program is part of the company’s RealGood initiative, which aims to recycle polyester, nylon, and cotton and reduce water usage in their manufacturing process.
The North Face’s XPLR Pass program allows members to bring in used North Face gear and receive a $10 credit towards their next purchase. The company inspects, washes, and repairs the gear to be resold, promoting circularity and reducing waste. If the gear cannot be repaired, it will be recycled or donated as part of their commitment to sustainability.
Madewell offers a similar program for old jeans, where customers can bring in any brand of jeans to be resold or recycled into housing insulation. In exchange, customers receive $20 off their next pair of jeans purchased from Madewell. This initiative not only promotes recycling but also incentivizes customers to shop sustainably.
Carter’s, a kid-and-baby clothing brand, has a TerraCycle program that allows customers to recycle any brand of kid’s clothing for free. Rewarding Moments members can earn points towards future purchases every time they send in a box of old clothes. This program encourages parents to recycle their children’s clothing and reduce waste.
Levi’s offers a trade-in program for old jeans and Trucker Jackets, where customers can receive a credit ranging from $5 to $35 based on the item’s age, condition, and original retail price. If the clothes cannot be resold, Levi’s will donate or properly dispose of them, keeping the materials out of landfills.
Gap has partnered with ThredUp, an online clothing reseller, to help customers recycle their old clothes and earn shopping credit. Customers can send in quality pre-loved items from any brand and receive credit based on the items‘ quality, brand, and resale value. This initiative promotes circular fashion and reduces waste in the industry.
Universal Standard, known for its size-inclusive clothing, offers a bag-for-bag program where customers can fill a bag with up to four pieces of clothing from any brand and receive up to $100 off their next order. The textiles from the old clothes are repurposed into new pieces, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.
In conclusion, many brands are now offering sustainability initiatives to recycle old clothes and reduce waste in the fashion industry. By participating in these programs, customers can not only declutter their closets but also contribute to a more sustainable future. From discounts and store credits to recycling and repurposing old clothes, these initiatives are a step towards a more environmentally friendly fashion industry.