Each year, approximately 17 million tons of textiles are discarded by Americans, with many items in donation bins failing to be reused. To combat this, mail-in programs are emerging to collect old clothes, prevent landfill waste, and provide incentives like store credit or cash-like rewards at well-known brands.
These programs cater to any brand or condition—including single socks and stained T-shirts—alongside brand-specific trade-ins offering financial returns for quality items. While these initiatives don’t completely solve the fashion waste issue and may have associated fees or conditions, they present a better alternative to simply discarding clothes. With the right program, rewards can offset or exceed your costs.
1. Trashie Take Back Bag — The Any-Brand, Any-Condition Option
Trashie provides a prepaid, prepackaged bag that can hold up to 15 pounds of clothing, shoes, accessories, and home textiles from any brand, in any condition, including single socks and worn-out T-shirts. A single Take Back Bag costs $20, often available at a discount, and offers $5 in TrashieCash redeemable at partners like Sephora, Nike, Starbucks, Allbirds, and Cozy Earth.
For frequent recyclers, Trashie Unlimited is available at $68 annually, offering unlimited bags and increasing rewards over time. After the tenth bag, members can earn back their membership fee with $68 in TrashieCash, and subsequent bags earn additional rewards. Trashie claims that 95% of received items are repurposed, reused, or recycled, sorted into over 600 categories.
Best for: those looking to process a backlog of clothes, especially those too worn for donation.
2. Retold Recycling — Subscription Bags With Curated Partner Rewards
Retold Recycling operates on a subscription basis. Their annual plan is priced at $99, providing six pre-labeled, prepaid bags—three initially, followed by one each quarter—each accommodating about five pounds of textiles. Retold Rewards, valued at around $15 per bag, are usable at partners such as Dropps, Allyoos, Me Mother Earth, and Plaine Products. A quarterly plan is also available for $24.75 every three months, with the same rewards per bag.
Retold accepts all textiles, including clothing, household linens, and fabric scraps, from any brand. Its partners sort items by fiber content, quality, and style, with a commitment to keep items out of landfills except when certain materials cannot be processed. According to Consumer Reports, only subscribers earn rewards credits; one-time bag buyers do not.
Best for: individuals who recycle regularly and prefer discounts at smaller, sustainable brands over large retailers.
3. Patagonia Worn Wear — Real Trade-In Value for Well-Made Gear
Patagonia’s Worn Wear offers significant payouts for Patagonia items. Users can visit their website, take a quiz to verify item eligibility, print a shipping label, and send in clean, functional Patagonia jackets, fleece, pants, packs, and more. In return, they receive credit as a gift card usable online or in Patagonia stores.
Trade-in values generally represent about 20% of the original price. According to Patagonia’s FAQ, credits can reach up to $180 for high-value items, with jackets earning between $10 and $200, and wheeled bags between $45 and $90. Occasionally, promotions double credit values, so it’s worthwhile to monitor these offers.
It’s important to note that Worn Wear only accepts Patagonia-branded gear in good condition. They do not take underwear, swimwear, or wetsuits. Unqualified items will either be returned or recycled for free.
Best for: those purging Patagonia gear they no longer need and who frequently shop at Patagonia.
4. ThredUp Clean Out Kit — Cash or Credit for What Actually Sells
ThredUp operates as a consignment service rather than a recycling program. The company compensates for items it can resell, directing the rest to donation or recycling partners. Users can order a Clean Out Kit, fill it with women’s or kids’ clothing in excellent or like-new condition, and ship it. Payouts vary with listing price, ranging from low single-digit percentages on inexpensive items to as much as 80% on premium and designer brands like Lululemon or Gucci.
Payments are available in cash or as store credit at ThredUp or partner brands like Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, Madewell, Janie and Jack, and Reformation. Choosing store credit often includes a 15–20% bonus. Note that ThredUp deducts a $14.99 processing fee from earnings per bag, and there’s a $10.99 fee to return rejected items. The program is not suitable for fast fashion, as items from those brands or heavily worn clothes are usually declined.
Best for: wardrobes with name-brand, current-season women’s and kids’ clothes in good condition—not for stained T-shirts.
5. ReGirlfriend — Closed-Loop Recycling for Activewear
Girlfriend Collective offers ReGirlfriend, a mail-in program in partnership with SuperCircle. Participants can send in clean clothes from any brand and receive $10 in store credit for each Girlfriend item or $5 for non-Girlfriend items, with a limit of 10 pieces per shipment. There is a $15 deposit to print the shipping label, refundable upon a purchase within 30 days.
Participants receive personalized discount codes for up to 30% off their next Girlfriend order. For instance, a $30 credit requires at least a $100 purchase to fully utilize it. Items are sorted for reuse if possible, or recycled, upcycled into new yarn or fabric, or downcycled for industrial applications if resale is not feasible.
Best for: those who already shop at Girlfriend and seek a mail-in option for activewear and basics from various brands.
Quick Comparison
- Accepts any brand in any condition: Trashie, Retold, ReGirlfriend
- Brand-specific only: Patagonia Worn Wear (Patagonia gear), ThredUp (women’s and kids’ name-brand resale)
- Cash payout possible: ThredUp (via consignment)
- Store credit only: Trashie, Retold, Patagonia Worn Wear, ReGirlfriend, ThredUp (credit option)
- Highest potential payout: Patagonia Worn Wear for premium Patagonia items; ThredUp for current-season designer women’s clothing
Get Ready for Mail-In Recycling Success
- Sort your clothes before sending them. Items suitable for resale or donation fetch higher returns on ThredUp, Patagonia Worn Wear, or at local consignment shops. Worn-out or off-brand clothes are better suited for Trashie, Retold, or ReGirlfriend.
- Consider whether a subscription is beneficial. Trashie Unlimited is advantageous if you send about 10 bags a year. Retold’s annual plan can yield up to $90 in partner rewards. If you won’t fill several bags, it’s better to skip the subscription.
- Choose store credit if you already shop at that brand. ThredUp’s 15–20% credit bonus and Patagonia’s double-credit promotions can enhance your payout, but only if you plan to shop there.
- Avoid mailing clothes that your city already recycles. Many areas offer curbside textile pickup or special drop-off bins. Use the Earth911 Recycling Search to find local options before shipping clothes out of state.
- Check the fee details. ThredUp charges a $14.99 processing fee, Patagonia deducts $7 for shipping, and ReGirlfriend requires a $15 refundable deposit. Consider these costs before deciding.
- Buy less in the first place. No mail-in program can offset the impact of owning excessive fast fashion. The most sustainable choice is opting for fewer, longer-lasting clothes.
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