HOW WE DO WELL
HOW WE DO WELL
How We Do Well
Check out our Do Well Report to learn all about our sustainability efforts and initiatives.
Long Live the Jean
Keep your old jeans out of landfills and in circulation. Plus, get $20 towards a brand-new pair.
Just because you’re done with your denim doesn’t mean it’s reached the end of its life. So far, we’ve collected over 2.3 million preloved pieces through our Denim Trade Up program. Gently worn pairs are resold through our resale platform, Madewell Forever, while those beyond repair are transformed into new products like housing insulation, sustainable food packaging or upcycled designs through our partnership with Blue Jeans Go Green™. Because we believe in creating a more circular future—one pair of jeans at a time.
How It Works
How It Works
Drop off at a store:
1) Bring your old jeans from any brand to a Madewell store.
2) We’ll resell styles in gently used condition.
3) You’ll get $20 off for every pair you trade up.
4) Jeans that can’t be resold will be recycled into insulation.
Find a store
Or mail them to us:
1) Pick up a Clean Out Kit in store and activate it here, or print a free shipping label and use your own box (pro tip: we love when you reuse old packaging).
2) Fill it with preloved women’s clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories from any brand, then drop it off at USPS or FedEx.
3) Earn shopping credit for items that resell, plus $20 off new jeans for every pair you send.
Activate a kit or print a free label
The FAQ
Can I trade up jeans from brands other than Madewell?
Yes, we accept denim apparel from any brand for recycling, however, only jeans are eligible to receive this offer.
Do you take denim shorts, skirts, jackets and overalls?
Yes, we accept all denim apparel for recycling, however, only jeans are eligible to receive this offer.
If I bring in multiple pairs of jeans, will I get $20 for each one?
Yes. For every pair of jeans you donate, you’ll get $20 off a new pair.
Are maternity jeans accepted?
Yes, you can donate maternity jeans and other maternity denim apparel.
Can I trade up jeans that aren’t 100% cotton?
We ask that all denim be made of at least 90% cotton. Be sure to check the tag beforehand.
Does the $20 offer ever expire?
You can either use your discount on the day of or we’ll give you a Do Well card for you to redeem at your convenience.
Can I trade in my old jeans through the mail instead?
Yes, pick up a Clean Out Kit in store and activate it here, or print a free shipping label and use your own box.
What condition can used denim be in for trade up?
We accept denim in any condition—even ripped, stained or as scraps.
Where and how do you recycle the old denim?
Once we receive your items, thredUp—the experts in secondhand—will assess their condition and value. Pairs in gently-worn condition will be listed on Madewell Forever and resold to someone new. Denim that doesn't qualify will be repurposed into insulation through Cotton's Blue Jeans Go Green™ program or other partners.
Can I use the $20 offer on jeans that are on sale?
Our trade-up offer can only be applied to full-priced Madewell jeans.
Are only blue jeans accepted?
We accept jeans of any color, including pairs with prints or embellishments.
Can I trade up my old denim at all locations?
Yes, find your nearest store here.
Is there a limit to how many jeans I can trade up?
No, there's no limit—feel free to bring in as many pairs as you'd like.
Do you take men’s, women’s and children’s jeans?
Yes, we’ll gladly accept them.
Can I trade up pants that are made from other materials, like corduroy?
Stores accept denim only, but you can recycle other clothing, shoes and accessories by mail or with our Clean Out Kit.
Can I use more than one $20 off card on a single pair of jeans?
No, sorry, this offer cannot be combined. You can use only one $20 discount per purchase.
Is the denim trade-up program only for a limited time?
You can trade up your preloved denim with us all year-round.
Your Denim Makes a Difference
2.3 million
pieces collected through our Denim Trade Up program.
893 tons
of waste diverted from landfills.
2 square feet
of insulation created for every pair of jeans recycled.
1st brand
to offer year-round denim recycling through Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program.
20,000 unwearable jeans
reinvented in a first-of-its-kind textile-to-textile recycled capsule.
10+ years
of giving unwearable denim a new life.
1st brand
to offer year-round denim recycling through Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program.
20,000 unwearable jeans
reinvented in a first-of-its-kind textile-to-textile recycled capsule.
10+ years
of giving unwearable denim a new life.
The Journey of Your Jeans
We transformed 20,000 unwearable jeans into something entirely new.
The result? Our first-of-its-kind textile-to-textile recycled denim capsule.
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