Levi Strauss' $100,000 Recycled Denim Fund
Last week I received two, not one, but two emails about jeans recycling. I felt so Sally Fields like. One from the Gap about dropping off old jeans at their stores, and another from Levi Strauss about their recycled denim initiatives. Instead of bombarding you with two recycled jeans’ stories, I decided to spread the two stories apart. But before I jump into the Levi Strauss’ blue jean story, I just want to interject that my “how to recycled blue jeans” is legendary. I kid you not. Why else would both Levi Strauss and the Gap come knocking at my door?
Anyone else have any other explanation?
Anyone?
Crap. My husband interjected that perhaps Google told them…that gossip.
So I’m not that famous after all?
Now that my bubble has been burst (sniff. Blow nose. Pull at eyes so they don’t look puffy. Look at eyes and decide I need an eye job. Then look at face and decide a little tuck and pull would look great, then start thinking about Christian Troy of Nip Tuck and how great it would be if he did my surgery…Oh, I forgot you were waiting for the story. Mirrors have a way of distracting you. Am, I right?)
Here is the recycled jeans low down from Levi Strauss.
As I indicated earlier for a limited time, Gap is taking back old jeans to be exchanged for new jeans. Levi Strauss on the other hand is launching a $100,000 denim insulation fund which will provide grants to not for profits who are currently undergoing construction projects. The fund will offset the cost difference of using recycled denim insulation instead of conventional insulation.
I am not a stranger lauding the benefits of recycled blue jean insulation. I have this insulation through out my house as a sound barrier, but opted for Icynene, an open cell insulation for my exterior walls. However, the cost of the recycled denim insulation was easily 3 times the price of fiberglass. So, why did I opt to use recycled denim insulation? Exposed fiberglass makes me cough so badly I can’t breath. We just don’t get along. Oil and water.
Tell me about the Grant.
According a recent press release,
“The company will be accepting proposals from non-profit organizations from October 1 – November 21, 2010. This program is for U.S. based nonprofits organizations. Additional details about the program and how to submit a proposal can be found at http://www.levistrauss.com/sustainability/product/re-use.”
Earlier this year, The Trust for Public Land was a grant recipient to help the organization upgrade to denim insulation.
“We’re excited to use recycled denim to insulate our new clubhouse and provide local children with a non-toxic environment to run, jump and play,” said Will Rogers, president of The Trust For Public Land. “Levi Strauss & Co.’s new denim insulation fund shows the kind of thoughtful, creative way that this city’s leading companies are working with groups like The Trust For Public Land to create places and communities that are healthy and more livable.”
In addition, the company donated 200,000 pairs of recycled jean to insulate the newly reopened California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco as well as throughout the company’s newly renovated headquarters in San Francisco.
Moreover, see here as to Levi Strauss’ Care for Tag for Our Planet campaign to instructions ways consumers can reduce their environmental impact with regards to their clothes. The company suggests simply washing less, washing in cold, line drying and donating when no longer needed.
My thoughts?
Why is the fund so small given the price of the insulation? I know a small fund is better than no fund, but Levi Strauss is a huge company. Is it just me, or could it have been bigger?
In addition, customer can not drop off their old jeans anywhere. Surely, you can’t take Levi Strauss jeans to the Gap drop off! (How eco-rude.) Now, in LS’s defense, the Company encourages consumers to drop off their old jeans at the Goodwill but who needs your torn up jeans? Um, the ones split down the backside?
Okay, Levi Strauss, if you need my help to find a place where you can drop off your jeans. One moment as I thumb through my roledex….
Here. Contact Kohl’s. They have their Green Scene program, and they sell your jeans. Perfect fit. Let people drop off their jeans at Kohl’s which has hundreds of stores. And get a discount to buy a new pair of jeans. Why create the wheel if Gap has done it for you? Plus, everyone wants more green publicity. Tell Kohl’s, Anna sent you.
(Am I not the most brilliant sustainability consultant you know?)
How do you all feel about Levi Strauss’ new recycled denim insulation grant?
How else could Levi Strauss institute a drop off program?
Jessica says
I had no idea that denim insulation was 3x as much as fiberglass! Great article.
funny true stories says
I had no idea that denim insulation was 3x as much as fiberglass! Great article.