While it may be feasible for the sustainable bloggers you Insta-stalk to shop at high-priced sustainable retailers, we’re balling on a budget here. Living on a ramen noodle budget can make shopping sustainably seem out of reach. But remember, what’s important in the journey towards living (and shopping) sustainably is making small, consistent steps that easily fit into your everyday life. Together, the sum of these small steps becomes something greater — something you definitely want to be a part of!
Bringing your clothes into these retailers gives you a little ~somethin’ somethin’~ as a thank you. They’ll reward your donation with a discount towards a future purchase. It’s like getting paid to save the planet! With many of these retailers enacted sustainable initiatives, you can use your discount towards a new garment that’s equally as green.
Now I know some of you are reading this thinking ain’t nobody got time for that and trust me, I get it. If you’re glued to your couch binge-watching Shrill or locked in the library studying for midterms, you can still donate your clothes. Many retailers and organizations are now offering mail-in donations and most campuses have donation bins right on campus. Easy peasy! So invite over your girls, Marie Kondo your closets and get donating to our fave retailer’s recycling programs:
- Madewell
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Madewell’s Blue Jeans Go Green program partners with Habitat for Humanity, where your recycled denim is turned into housing insulation. Pretty cool, right? When you bring in your old jeans, you’ll get $20 towards a new pair. Plus, Madewell’s denim is fair trade certified so your new pair is socially responsible too.
- & Other Stories
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When you bring old clothes and empty beauty containers into & Other Stories, you’ll receive 10% off your entire purchase! The donated fabric is upcycled into shoe insoles, toy stuffing, and carpet underlay. The best part is they accept any textiles, meaning you can bring in old towels and bedsheets too!
- Levi’s
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Too lazy to drop your clothes off in-store? I can relate. Thanks to Levi’s partnership with Goodwill, you can mail your old clothes to a donation center for free! If you’re able to drop them off in-store, you’ll receive 20% off a single item.
- The North Face
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The North Face has partnered with Soles4Souls to put your old clothes to good use. Their Clothes the Loop program uses your unwanted garments for distaster relief. You’ll earn $10 off your next purchase of $100 or more when you bring your unwanted clothes to any participating The North Face retail location.
- H&M
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H&M’s Garment Collection program helps combat the negative impact of the fast fashion industry through reusing and recycling unwanted garments. For each bag of unwanted clothes you drop off at one of their recycling bins, you’ll receive a voucher for 15% off your next purchase.
With so many rewarding reasons to recycle, it’s easy to do your part in making the fashion industry more environmentally friendly. Be sure to check out more easy ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable, even on a college budget.