by Brenna Hartmann, the Fixie Chick

It’s March and I can’t help but think green.  Well in this case I’m thinking green with something blue…blue Jeans, that is.  

With the rapid growth in eco-friendly green building, America’s best dressed walls are getting stuffed with recycled-denim insulation. Yes, that’s right; this popular insulation is made with scraps left over from manufacturing blue jeans.  The scraps would have otherwise landed up in the dump. Not only is it helping to save the environment, it’s healthier than fiberglass insulation, and doesn’t contain formaldehyde or other harmful chemical irritants.  

Furthermore, the insulation itself is completely recyclable! This insulation does not itch and is very easy to handle and work with without the need for air-purifying respiratory gear or protective clothing.  The manufacturing technology boasts its noise reduction qualities, and that it is fire and pest resistant and impedes the growth of fungus and mold.  

Last June, Bonded Logic, a manufacturer of denim insulation, and Polo volunteers installed UltraTouch denim insulation that was collected through Polo’s “Give Your Jeans a New Home” initiative. This program collected used jeans from celebrities and students alike, covering college campuses throughout the northeast.  Bonded Logic  donated their services to manufacture this material into UltraTouch insulation for use in Habitat for Humanity projects in New York as well as the Hurricane afflicted Gulf Coast.

The Denim Drive, collected almost 20,000 pairs of jeans which was converted into nearly 80,000 ft of UltraTouch denim insulation and used in the rehabilitation of a historic 19th century building located in the Bronx, NY. This project was collaboration between Bonded Logic Inc, The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation’s G.I.V.E campaign, and Habitat for Humanity NYC.

Polo Jeans Co. Ralph Lauren is on a mission to inspire everyone to give their old jeans a new home. Watch for Blue Jean Donation Drop Off Centers Coming Soon!