10 Brands that Reward You for Recycling Your Unwanted Goods
Sustainability is about a lot more than just the brands you choose to purchase from today, it’s also about closing the loop and keeping existing items from ending up in landfills. With these 10 programs not only can you feel good about where your things are going, but you can also reap some rewards in the process.
Cuyana
While Cuyana's program isn't necessarily the most generous of the bunch (you earn a $10 voucher with the caveat that you pay $8 to cover shipping their clothing donation bag to you and back, for a net discount of $2.) The lean closet idea is in line with their ethos as a brand, encouraging you to choose "fewer, better" things and we love the partner they've selected to work with. H.E.A.R.T works to donate your items directly to survivors of abuse, helping them to get a fresh start.
Find more info here.
Madewell
Makers of arguably some of the best jeans around that won't set you back $200. Every newly minted mama I know swears by their 10" rise to get through the awkward post-partum time where nothing seems to fit quite right, which is how I initially heard of this deal: bring in an existing pair of jeans, like say, the unforgiving ones that mocks you from the back of your closet, and receive $20 off a new pair.
Find more info here.
Levi Strauss
It’s difficult to think of something that embodies Americana more than a pair of classic Levi’s. Carry on the tradition at a discount by bringing in an unwanted item of clothing to their in-store collection boxes and receive 20% off a single, full priced item in store.
Find more info here.
North Face
If you prefer weekends spent around the campfire to brunching, North Face's performance outdoor apparel may be your thing. Bring in your unwanted clothing or shoes from any brand and receive a $10 reward toward your next purchase of $100 or more. The items collected will be put to good use through non-profit Sole4Soles, providing disaster relief and supporting micro-enterprise programs, while you decide if you want to put your voucher towards a new outfit or some camping gear.
Find more info here.
Eileen Fisher
Beloved by many for their relaxed silhouettes, knits and natural fibers like linen, Eileen Fisher doubles down on their mission of sustainably with their long-running Renew program. You bring in or send back your old or damaged Eileen Fisher apparel and receive a $5 credit per piece, many of which will then be repurposed as a part of their “reworn collection.” How’s that for closing the loop?
Find more info here.
H&M
While you may not associate fast-fashion giant H&M with sustainability, they are taking a small step in the right direction with their clothing recycling program. Bring your old, unwanted clothing, from any brand and in any condition, into your local store and deposit them into the garment-collecting box which is usually near the registers then don't forget to collect your voucher on the way out. It should be for around 15% off of your next purchase.
Find more info here.
& Other Stories
Expertly curated & Other Stories build their collections out of “style stories” and is akin to the even-hipper little sister to H&M, think Madewell to Jcrew. You can earn a 10% off voucher good for 3 months for trading in any of the brands empty beauty containers or bring in your old textiles from anywhere. You can find store locations here.
Find more info here.
MAC Cosmetics
One of my favorite incentives on the list is the Back-to-MAC program. Bring in six empties from your MAC products and receive a free lipstick of your choice.
Find more info here.
Lush USA
Makers of some of the best smelling bath product around, including their beloved, generously sized bath bombs. Lush checks a lot of boxes when it comes to ethical production, their products are freshly handmade, never tested on animals and minimally packaged to name a few. They further reduce their waste by offering a free Fresh Face Mask in exchange for bringing back 5 clean, empty Lush pots to be recycled.
Find more info here.
Le Labo
The discount at Le Labo is the stuff of internet rumors and fodder for Basenotes conversation boards. While we were unable to find any info on their website, the purported deal is that if you bring in one of their bottles 50ML and 100ML size you can receive a refill at 20% off. We suggest reaching out to your local store or counter for confirmation the offer is available near you (we did confirm that this discount is, in fact, offered in the SF store).
Locate a store here.
