Recycling your clothes for rewards gives your old garments a new life while you earn benefits. However, each recycling program has its own rules about how the clothing will be repurposed. To make your choices easier, here’s a list of some retailers that give you perks for recycling your clothes:
DSW Shoes
DSW, in partnership with Soles4Souls, accepts donations of new or gently worn shoes. These shoes are redistributed to people in need or used to support small business initiatives in developing countries.
To earn rewards, customers must be members of the DSW VIP program, which is free to join. Once signed up, members can drop off shoes at any DSW store and receive 50 loyalty points per donation, limited to one weekly reward. These points accumulate towards rewards, providing an incentive to participate in the recycling program regularly.
Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher’s Renew program welcomes all Eileen Fisher clothing for recycling, regardless of condition. Customers can return items in-store or by mail, and the company sorts cleans, and resells undamaged pieces. Items that cannot be resold are recycled into new materials.
Each piece returned earns a $5 reward credit, promoting sustainability and responsible consumption. This program reflects Eileen Fisher’s commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing textile waste.
Gap
Gap, Inc. has partnered with ThredUp to facilitate clothing recycling. Customers can pick up a free ThredUp kit, which includes a bag and mailing label, at select Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, and Janie and Jack stores. After filling the bag with gently worn clothing, customers can drop it off at any FedEx or post office location.
If ThredUp selects any items for resale, customers can opt for store credit or cash, with an additional 15% payout bonus on Gap Inc. purchases. Any items not selected for resale are recycled, or customers can have them mailed back for a fee.
H&M
H&M has developed a well-known recycling program. It accepts clothes from any brand in any condition, including odd socks, worn-out T-shirts, and bedsheets. This effort is part of their broader strategy to improve sustainability in the fashion industry. By bringing in a bag of used items to any H&M store, customers receive a discount card for 15% off their next purchase.
J. Jill
Jill runs a biannual clothing drive as part of its efforts to support women through the Compassion Fund, which has donated over $24 million to various U.S. organizations. These drives collect gently used clothes that are then redistributed to women in need.
To participate, customers need to follow J. Jill on social media or subscribe to their email newsletter for notifications about upcoming drives. Donating during these drives earns customers a 10% discount on one full-price product for each garment donated. This program not only promotes recycling but also supports community-based organizations focused on women’s self-sufficiency, education, and health.
Levi’s
Levi’s encourages recycling through its partnership with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green program, which recycles denim into building insulation. Customers can drop off any brand of jeans or denim jackets in any condition at Levi’s stores to participate. In return, they receive a voucher for 20% off a single product.
Alternatively, Levi’s offers a trade-in program for gently used Levi’s denim, which is then repaired, sanitized, and resold through their secondhand shop. The trade-in values vary, but customers can get anywhere from $5 to $30 on a store gift card, depending on the item’s condition and type.
Madewell
Madewell aims to achieve full sustainability by 2025, focusing on sourcing all fibers sustainably and eliminating virgin plastics. As part of this mission, they have partnered with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green program to recycle denim.
Customers can bring any brand or style of jeans in any condition to their local Madewell store to participate in the program. They receive $20 off a fresh pair of Madewell jeans in exchange. This program helps reduce textile waste while incentivizing customers to purchase more sustainable clothing options.
Patagonia
Patagonia’s Worn Wear program allows customers to trade in gently worn Patagonia clothing and gear, including backpacks and sleeping bags. Items can be brought in-store or mailed in, provided they are in good condition. If your items meet the eligibility criteria, you can earn up to 50% of their resale value as store credit, usable both in-store and online at Patagonia or Worn Wear.
Patagonia’s website lists the exact trade-in values, providing transparency and encouraging participation. This program aligns with Patagonia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and promoting a circular economy.
Planet Aid
Planet Aid strives to prevent textiles from ending up in landfills by reselling them in impoverished nations. Thus, the organization provides affordable clothing and creates job opportunities. The organization collects all types of used fabrics, including clothing and linens, in any condition.
Donations can be dropped off at one of Planet Aid’s yellow bins nationwide. While no retailer coupons or gift cards are offered, donors may benefit from a tax deduction if they itemize their taxes. This program supports job creation and provides affordable clothing in developing countries, promoting a circular economy.
Reformation
Reformation partners with ThredUp to promote sustainable fashion and keep clothes out of landfills. Customers can request a Payout Kit, which includes a prepaid bag and shipping label. They can fill the kit with unwanted clothing and send it to ThredUp.
ThredUp evaluates resellable items and provides credit to use at Reformation. Alternatively, customers can request a Donation Kit, which results in a $5 donation to the Circular Fashion Fund instead of store credit. This program supports Reformation’s goal of becoming climate-positive by 2025.
Soma
Soma’s #BraItForward program, in collaboration with The Bra Recyclers, collects new and gently used bras for redistribution or recycling. Bras that are in usable condition are given to shelters affiliated with I Support The Girls, NourishPHX, and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
The Bra Recyclers recycles any bras that cannot be reused. Members of the Love Soma Rewards program can earn up to $10 off their purchase every month as a reward. This initiative supports women in need while promoting sustainability.
The North Face
The North Face’s Renewed store offers pre-loved clothing at a fraction of its usual price. In recent years, The North Face has prioritized sustainable production by reducing single-use plastics in its packaging, using eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, and reusing polyester and nylon. The “Clothes the Loop” campaign is another example of their commitment to extending the lifecycle of clothing by encouraging customers to donate old clothes in-store.
In collaboration with the nonprofit Soles4Souls, The North Face provides shoes and clothing for disaster relief and homelessness. Additionally, it helps entrepreneurs set up resale shops in areas with few job opportunities. Customers can drop off clothing and shoes from any brand in any condition at a North Face retailer to receive $10 off a purchase of $100 or more.