Renewing denim
with purpose
The Blue Jeans Go Green™ program collects denim (made from cotton) so that it can be recycled back to its original fiber state and transformed into something new.
The sustainable life
of cotton
It's a beautiful thing to see an old favorite transformed. Because cotton is a natural, sustainable fiber, your old denim can be kept out of a landfill and given a new life.
The sustainable life
of cotton
It's a beautiful thing to see an old favorite transformed. Because cotton is a natural, sustainable fiber, your old denim can be kept out of a landfill and given a new life.
Step 01
Long before denim is recycled, it’s harvested in its original state: cotton. From there, the cotton is spun, woven, and prepared for garment manufacturers to craft into denim apparel.
Step 02
Next, denim finds its way to your favorite store. Check the label for at least 90% cotton on every piece of denim when you’re shopping, so you know that it can be recycled when it’s no longer loved and wearable.
Step 03
Once it’s worn out, you can continue its purpose by recycling it. We collect denim to divert it from landfills, where it would otherwise join the millions of pounds of textiles thrown out every year.
Recycle Denim
Step 04
Finally, its life becomes circular. When denim is made from cotton, a natural fiber, we’re able to transform it into recycled denim insulation used for various applications, from building insulation to pet bed inserts to thermal packaging liners and more.
Learn More
Memorable moments and milestones
Since Cotton Incorporated launched the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program in 2006, we’ve supported and participated in numerous initiatives that are the fabric of our program.
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denim stack challenge
To celebrate America Recycles Day in 2019, the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program challenged Americans to stack up all their denim, snap a pic, and share it in the #DenimStackChallenge. Of course, everyone was encouraged to recycle what they don’t wear.
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denim days new york
Working with Zappos for Good, the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program participated in New York’s Denim Days held in June 2019, an indigo-soaked two day shopping event celebrating denim.
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29 rooms los angeles
In December 2017, we teamed up with Refinery 29 as a featured sponsor at 29 Rooms in LA – where attendees were invited to experience the transformative power of creativity through denim recycling.
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Participated in a NASCAR Nationwide Series Race
On March 1, 2014, denim was collected at the Blue Jeans Go Green™ 200 presented by Cotton, The Fabric of Our Lives®.
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Celebrated recycling the one-millionth piece of denim
A unique auction (with denim used as currency) was designed to raise awareness about textile recycling and to help the program collect its one-millionth piece of denim in 2013.
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Set the Guinness World Record™
In collaboration with National Geographic Kids magazine in 2009, the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program earned the record for “Most Items of Clothing Collected for Recycling” with 33,088 pieces of denim.
Reducing the impact on the Earth
By recycling old denim made from cotton and diverting textile waste away from landfills, we’re doing good for our community and the earth.
Reducing the impact on the Earth
By recycling old denim made from cotton and diverting textile waste away from landfills, we’re doing good for our community and the earth.
