The Blue Jeans Go Green™ program collects denim (made from cotton) so that it can be recycled back to its original fibre state and transformed into something new. An old denim can be kept out of a landfill and given a new life as committed by Cotton incorporated.

Cotton Incorporated explains the story of denim fashion and its recycling program to consumers in three simple steps:

Step 1

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 2

Next, denim finds its way to a retail store. And since it’s made to last, denim has a way of becoming a staple in consumer's wardrobe, protecting and comforting consumer.

Step 3

Once it’s worn out, consumer can continue its purpose by recycling it. Cotton Incorporate collects denim to divert it from landfills, where it would otherwise join the millions of pounds of textiles thrown out every year.

Denim would not be denim without cotton fibre, most of the cotton processing techniques and denim manufacturing have not changed during the year. From work wear to fashion made for business class, cotton and denim is ubiquitous. Cotton is an expensive and thirsty fibre to grow, it can take 20000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of cotton which is equivalent to one T-shirt and a pair of Jeans. Sustainability is the key in the future of cotton fibre and it is high time to make cotton circular and design for recycling products like denim jeans made out of cotton.

Blue Jeans Go Green programme supports the transformation of cotton-rich, pre-owned denim into insulation and other “creative new products”. Cotton Incorporated has been working with a natural cotton fibre insulation manufacturer Bonded Logic, Inc. for over 15 years, to transform old denim into new useful products, such as building insulation, thermal packaging insulation, pet bed inserts, and other applications.

As per Cotton Incorporated, lifecycle of a denim product made from cotton goes well beyond a durable fabric. By recycling it back to its original fibre state. For example, it can become thermal packaging insulation that keeps vegetables and fruits packages fresh and cold and this denim insulation (padded liner) can be further recycled. According to Cotton Incorporated, the program has so far resulted in the recycling of more than 2,100 tons of denim otherwise destined for landfill.

This program is helping to build homes with Habitat for Humanity affiliates, organising recycling drives and raising awareness of sustainability.

Recently a US-based retailer Anthropologie joined Cotton Incorporated’s Blue Jeans Go Green initiative, following in the footsteps of brands including Frank and Oak, American Eagle and Wilco.

As part of its own involvement, Anthropologie will be accepting in-store drop-offs of any kind of denim apparel, so long as it’s at least 90% cotton, for recycling under the blue jeans go green program.