5 Ways to Recycle Your Blue Jeans

tuesday tipI seem to be suffering from clumsiness lately. A few weeks back I was walking out of my bedroom and instead of clearing the doorway my left hip brushed the doorjamb and caught on the receiver end of the door knob thingamajiggy (not sure what to call it). It ripped my jeans ever so slightly. The 1.5 inch tear didn’t bother me much so I just kept wearing them as is. Well it happened again a few days ago and now that tear streaks down my whole back side…so they are not wearable anymore. A patch would look ridiculous and would be awkward to get on so now I need to figure out what to do with them. If only I could find my sewing machine I would make numbers 1 and 2.

Ideas for Recycling Blue Jeans:

1. An iPod pocket protector – Use the pocket area of your blue jeans to make a nifty little purse for small electronics like cell phones and iPods. It would also be perfect as a little snack bags for young kids. Get instructions here.

2. Use the legs to make a wall organizer perfect for sewing notions.

3. Stuff them with straw and use them to create a scarecrow for fall decorating.

4. Cut them into squares and make a quilt or cut them into strips and make a rag rug.

5. Make denim pot holders.

16 Comments

  1. Pingback: Fishbowl Sense » Blog Archive » Change. Good or No?

  2. I just thought I’d share this resource for your UK readers. Up in the Lake district there is a groovy looking company that will recycle your favourite jeans into a pair of sandals for you! All my jeans are still in wearable condition, but I’ll definitely consider this option once they are beyond wear!
    http://www.recycleyourjeans.com/index.html

    That wall planner is awesome – thank you so much for an inspirational article :)

    Mrs Green x

  3. yarrow

    Great ideas! There is a great little tote bag that I have made in the past out of the seat of jeans. I have also made a patchwork skirt out of some. Very nice. Love the wall organizer thanks for sharing.

    yarrow’s last blog post..Little Altars Everywhere

  4. mary

    Our state recycles them into pencils. We just had the DSWA give a presentation to our Brownie troop and we we got blue pencils. Pretty cool.

  5. Casey

    Those are great ideas…and I like the quilt idea as well!

  6. Molly in NH

    I took an environmental conservation class in college about 18 years ago and I remember seeing a film where this guy said you could compost your jeans and they could break down in about 9 months (but not the rivets).

  7. Holly Autry

    I saw one lady on cafemom that made a slipcover for her couch with old blue jeans, too cool!!!

  8. One of the best qualities about blue jeans is that barring a run in with your door knob thingamajiggy , they last almost as long as you stay the same size. Great recycling ideas for when they don’t though!

  9. Kelly

    I love the wall organizer project Tiffany :) That’s right up my alley as far as simplicity goes.

    Kelly’s last blog post..Isn’t It Time to Take the “Over” out of Over-Protective Parent?

  10. Pingback: Green Me: Healthy and Green by the Day

  11. Amy

    potholders! I happen to need those right now. great idea!

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