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What is Blue Jeans Go Green™?
Since denim is made mostly from cotton, a sustainable fiber, it can be broken down to its natural state, recycled and used to create something new. At the forefront of this process is Cotton’s Blue Jean Go Green™ denim recycling program.
Since 2006, Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program has collected denim from across the country to divert it from landfills. The denim has been turned into natural cotton fiber insulation, with a portion distributed to help with building efforts nationwide.
Cotton Incorporated is mindful of the impact in every step of cotton’s and denim’s lifecycle, and through the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, the goal is to help people become more aware of how their fiber, fabric, and fashion choices can affect the earth – from how clothes are made, to where they go once they’re worn out.
Since the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program’s inception in 2006:
• 3,900,000+ pieces of denim have been collected
• 1,950+ tons of textile waste have been diverted from landfills
• 7,000,000+ sq. ft. insulation has been manufactured
• 60+ building organizations have received insulation
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How to Participate at Convention
What to Bring:
Bring any type of denim apparel item – jeans, jackets, shirts, skirts, and more as long as it’s 90% cotton or greater. It can be colored, embellished, and/or printed. The denim can also be in any condition – ripped, stained, and even scraps – as long as they’re washed and dry.
Where to Drop-Off:
Chapters are encouraged to bring contributions to the 2021 Texas FFA Convention in Fort Worth, Texas July 5-8. Designated collection bins will be available at the convention center near guest registration.
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How to Participate From Home
What to Contribute:
Any type of denim apparel item – jeans, jackets, shirts, skirts, and more as long as it’s 90% cotton or greater. It can be colored, embellished, and/or printed. The denim can also be in any condition – ripped, stained, and even scraps – as long as they’re washed and dry.
How to Ship (for free):
With your Zappos or Amazon login you’ll be able to print a prepaid shipping label, courtesy of Zappos and their Zappos for Good initiative.
• Simply pack your old denim that you want to recycle in a box.
• Please make certain to pack no more than 50 lbs of denim per box.
• You can send multiple boxes just please print a new label for each box.
• Please mark the box in large legible letters – TX FFA.
• Attach the Zappos TX FFA shipping label to your box(es).
• Drop off at any UPS store/location!
To mail your denim from home, access your Zappos TX FFA shipping label here.
Don’t forget to disable pop-up blockers to access the label. If you’re having any trouble accessing the label or don’t have a Zappos or Amazon account to login, please email BlueJeansGoGreen@cottoninc.com, and they will be able to assist you.
All contributions must be mailed by July 31, 2021.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ Program Work?
Consumers can recycle any type of denim apparel item– jeans, jackets, shirts, skirts and more as long as it’s 90% cotton or greater. It can be colored, embellished, and/or printed. The denim can also be in any condition – ripped, stained and even scraps – as long as they’re washed and dry.
What happens to the items after they are collected?
Once shipped to Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program, the denim is broken down into its original cotton fiber state and is turned into insulating material by Bonded Logic, Inc.
What items can consumers contribute?
It’s important to note that the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program collects all types of denim apparel, not just jeans. Denim can be any size, any color and from any manufacturer. Everyone is invited to give, and every contribution makes a difference. However, please note, they do not accept non-denim items. Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program accepts all brands of denim, in any condition – from denim jeans to jackets to shirts and more.
Ideally, the denim should be high cotton content and contain at least 90% cotton. They do accept blends, but if you’re unsure what the cotton content is, remember to check the label! If the consumer’s denim meets the outlined criteria, they can simply place items in the collection boxes at the convention or mail it directly by following the labeling instructions described above.
Does my denim need to be 100% cotton to be recycled?
The Blue Jeans Go Green™ program does accept blends, but they ask that the denim item(s) you’re recycling be high cotton content and contain at least 90% cotton.
What happens to the denim that is received?
Denim collected through Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program is recycled into insulation and used in various applications. Since 2006, Cotton has worked with Bonded Logic, Inc., to manufacture this insulation material and each year a portion is distributed each year to help with building efforts in communities around the country.
Who receives the insulation used for building efforts?
Historically, Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country have been the primary recipients of the insulation. Additionally, grants of insulation have been awarded to civic institutions and building organizations.
What other type of insulation material is manufactured besides building insulation?
Bonded Logic manufactures insulation from recycled denim for a variety of products from cold chain shipping solution thermal insulation material to insulating material for dishwaters and other items.
Where can I learn more about denim recycling and/or Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program?
To learn more please visit BlueJeansGoGreen.org. Blue Jeans Go Green™ is a trademark of Cotton Incorporated.
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