California Apparel News

Now you can take your old clothes and recycle them at any Levi’s store or outlet in the country.

The San Francisco clothing company recently announced it has expanded its used-clothing recycling program to include all its stores instead of a limited number of outposts. Shoppers can drop off any brand of clean, dry clothing or shoes in the collection boxes at their local Levi’s store and receive a voucher for 20 percent off a single, regular-priced Levi’s item in the store.

“We’re thinking about sustainability across all facets of our business and how to shift consumer behavior to make recycling clothing the norm,” said Michael Kobori, Levi’s vice president of sustainability. “Collecting used clothing at our stores makes it simple and easy for consumers to do their part and builds upon our commitment to do the right thing for the environment.”

For a limited time, Levi’s is also holding “Fashion Friday” events, where consumers can bring in their gently used blue jeans and receive an additional $10 discount voucher on their next item from the company’s new women’s denim collection. That program, held every Friday, ends on Aug. 28.

Levi’s is not the only retail chain looking towards sustainability in the textile world. H&M, the Swedish fast-fashion retailer, announced a similar recycling program in 2013 at its stores that take in clothing and offers a 20 percent discount voucher on the next purchase.

Levi’s has been working on several fronts to reduce its environmental footprint. The company is reducing the amount of water it uses through its waterless finishing process, saving 250 million gallons of water.

Recycling clothes helps reduce the cost of cotton, alleviates the amount of garments dumped into landfills and provides materials for recycled textiles.