Sunday, March 7, 2010

Recycle Your Old Jeans

Mom was wearing an old pair of jeans yesterday that had a huge rip in the thigh area. I don't know why she doesn't just fix the jeans but she loves them so much that she wears them even though look icky. She hates for anything to end up in a landfill and as much as she'd like to, she just doesn't have it in her to turn the ripped jeans into a cool purse. Lucky for her I found just the solution to give her jeans another life and to get a brand new pair.

The Gap has teamed up with Cotton Incorporated's From Blue to Green denim drive which started back in 2006 as part of Cotton's Dirty Laundry Tour. Now through March 14, you can bring your icky looking, ripped up jeans to the Gap and they will be recycled into insulation. How cool is that? The insulation is then donated to communities in need through Habitat For Humanity. Almost 200 houses have been insulated with UltraTouch, the insulation created from recycled jeans thus far.
When you drop off your jeans at the Gap, not only will they be turned into insulation but you will also receive 30% off a new pair. The Gap website states that recycled denim will only be accepted at stores with recycle bins at the cash wrap and that you must present the coupon in order to receive the discount. Turn in your jeans, get your coupon, and go shopping. And I know I don't have to mention it but I will - please don't forget to bring your reusable bag to the store. Since you'll be bringing at least one pair of jeans, they will probably be in a bag that can be reused but if you are just carrying your jeans in your hands, please refuse a new bag from the store. Mom remembers the days when it seemed like everyone in the mall would be carrying a blue plastic Gap bag - yuk! Where do you think those bags are today? I shudder to think how many are in landfills.

I'm sending Mom to the Gap tomorrow with her icky jeans. She can't go today because I need a warm body to sleep next to. I'm feeling much better today and thank all of you for your well wishes. I'm so lucky to have so many great friends that care about me.

18 comments:

Sequoia & Petunia & Emma said...

This is very interesting way to make insulation, Mom is very impressed with this recycling stuff.

We are glad that you are feelings better Stubby, we hope you get back to your cute self very soon!!!

Tuni and Sequoia

dw said...

Hey Stubby, that's great about using jeans to make insulation! I's never heard of that before. I don't shop at the Gap very often (way too expensive, imo) since I get most of my jeans at Kohl's or Target, but that's cool that they are recycling jeans. I'm glad, too, that you're feeling better. Today is a good day to just snuggle up next to mom and get your beauty sleep. Though it's not real cold (weather bug says 46), it's rainy and damp so a perfect day for snuggling!

Smushie Ranch said...

Hey Stubbs! Mom didn't even know the Gap did that. Thanks for the 411.

There's a store in our neck of the woods called Crossroads Trading Co. Humans can take their clothes, shoes or bags there and either sell 'em for store credit or get cash back. Kinda like recycling. Mom finds all kinds of good stuff there.

Smooches,
Stela

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Stubby
I think that is very cool idea. My mom wears her jeans until they are rags. Then she keeps wearing them holes and all- or patches them like old time hippys. Know something else? She has 4 pair of levis that she will not part with that are 1000 times too small and she said SOMEDAY she will fit it to them. I think they would be great for insulation instead,
love
tweedles

Anonymous said...

That is so cool! I saw the sign the other day but I didn't know what they were doing with the jeans!

Usually i patch the hole with an iron on patch and then donate them. Don't know if that is good or not... but I try lol

Paula said...

How awesome to recycle old jeans! We learn such good things through you Stubby!

Archie and Melissa said...

wow!
that is so great! we buy our jeans at the gap and never knew about this program.

i am off to check it out!

i learn so much from you!

xoxoxo
m

Dana Orsborn said...

Hi Stubby!

Penny and I hope you are feeling
better!

We were just at the Gap, and saw
a bin where you can drop off old jeans to be recycled. It's a great idea,
and we have lots of jeans
to drop off!

We hope you are having a great week!

-Dana & Penny

Stubby said...

Hi Sequoia & Tuni! There are so many uses for old denim and so many items that can be used for insulation. I'm just as impressed as your mom because I find cool recycling ideas every day.

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi dw! Mom doesn't really shop at the Gap either but she didn't want her icky jeans to end up in a landfill. She didn't buy any new jeans there because she just wasn't in the mood to try them on. The salesman gave her the 30% coupon and she has until March 14 to use it.

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Stella! You guys have all the cool stores out in Cali! We don't have any stores like that around here but I love the idea. I just found a similar sounding store in southern Cal last week.

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Tweedles! Your mom sounds just like my mom. I don't get it and neither you do because we are smart.

Mom has so many pairs of jeans (and other clothes) that she will never fit into again that she just can't part with. I say donate it all or go on a diet!

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Lex! You are definitely doing your part by patching your jeans. Most of the time there's really no need to buy jeans because the new ones look as worn out as the old ones.

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Paula! I wish other stores would offer programs like this. We have a department store that lets you bring in an old piece of clothing and in exchange you get a coupon for 20% a new piece. They do this a couple times a year and they donate the used clothes to Goodwill.

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Melissa! That's so cool that you shop there and that you can take advantage of this program. Please spread the word to all your Gap shopping friends!

Stubby xoxo

Stubby said...

Hi Dana & Penny! That's so cool that you were just in the Gap and saw the bin. Have fun taking your old jeans there and picking up some new ones.

Stubby xoxo

Hank said...

Wow, Stubby....you come up with best ideas! Of course, that's because you're a senior dude and WE seniors are smart! :D

Lick ya later!

Molly

Stubby said...

Hi Molly! I'm so glad you stopped by. Mom finally got rid of her icky jeans.

Us seniors must stick together. We are sooooo much smarter than all those young puggies. They could learn lots from us.

Stubby xoxo