Over the years, we’ve been reminded of the typical ways to conserve energy: recycling, using less water, turning off the lights when they aren’t in use, carpooling, etc. And although these standard methods are familiar and effective, Her Campus JMU is introducing you to a relatively new recycling initiative that is both environmentally friendly and easy to do. The first step? Raid your closet! Who knew that recycling old jeans could be environmentally friendly?
In 2006, the Cotton From Blue to Green® denim drive was created as part of Cotton Incorporated’s groundbreaking collegiate mobile marketing initiative, Cotton’s Dirty Laundry Tour®. The Cotton From Blue to Green® denim drive served as a “grassroots student-run campaign to educate college coeds about the natural, renewable and recyclable attributes of denim.” Collecting the denim is just the first step of the process. After the collection, the denim is sent to a recycling industry called Allan Company. After that, the denim is compressed into 1,000+ lb. bales and transported to JBM Fibers, a leading manufacturer of reprocessed fibers.
After the denim is returned to its original cotton fiber state, it is ready for conversion at Bonded Logic Inc., the manufacturer of UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation. This type of insulation differs from what is usually used because it is environmentally safe and made from denim fibers rather than glass fibers.
In the drive’s first year, a total of 14,566 pieces of denim were collected – and the number has only increased each year. This year, the JMU Public Relations Student Society of America(PRSSA) is teaming up with Cotton to bring the drive to campus. The drive began on October 1st and will continue throughout the month. The goal of JMU’s PRSSA is to collect at least 500 pieces of denim—any size, color, or length—by October 31st.
The JMU PRSSA Fundraising Chair, Maya Smith, believes that the Denim Drive is a unique and different way to give back to the community. She says that, “the reality of it is that so many resources are taken for granted by our generation. Who knew that old jeans that are getting dusty in our apartments can actually be used for insulation? Each square foot of insulation that is made from our donations will help build a house in a community that needs it. Natural disasters leave many people homeless. This insulation will help a family in need have a house again!”
As a result of this project, the homes of many families in need will be restored. After the 2006 drive, the Cotton Blue to Green Drive and Habitat for Humanity teamed up together to donate UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation to help build 25 homes that were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. In 2008, they were able to donate over 70,000 square feet of insulation to build over 75 homes. Many college campuses have been involved with the drive, and now, JMU is very proud to say they are too!
The JMU PRSSA will be holding many events this month in order to create more awareness about the drive. On October 15th and October 22nd, they will be at the Farmer’s Market collecting jeans and connecting with the community. There will also be donation boxes in both Carrier Library and ECL, as well as the co-op downtown, UREC, and various other places around campus. The more students that donate will help benefit the cause. JMU PRSSA Member and fellow Her Campus JMU staff member, Melinda Boisjolie says that, “it is hard for one person to make a change, but with the amount of people on this campus, there is no reason why we can’t all contribute to making a difference.”
So the next time you’re thinking about getting rid of a pair of jeans, think again. This is a great cause and all anyone needs to do is put a pair of old jeans in a donation bin! For moreinformation, follow @JMUDenimDrive on Twitter and check out the Facebook event!