I read that Habitat for Humanity uses donated jeans for House insulation. Do they do it in every state?

Question

How would I go about starting a collection and where would I send them to? I understand the zippers, metal attatchments and any buttons must be removed first.
My 22 yr old son has been out of work for almost a year due to illness and back surgery, now that he can go back to work slowly, part-time with no heavy lifting, no-one will hire him because his credit has gone in the hole because of the bills he's accumulated with no insurance. He needs a project to help someone else because his self-esteem is suffering badly because of not being allowed to work. This would be a perfect way to get out with people his own age at Colleges, and such collecting jeans for Habitat. He volunteered building for them when he was in high school a few years ago too. With me being disabled and him having to move back home, maybe this would be good for the both of us.
Have you got any information for us? I think they were doing at least one building in NY in the summer of 2006
THANX,Diane & Tom

Answer 1

i really do not think they would use them it would not be i good way to keep the cold out.

Answer 2

I can't imagine that it's a common thing, as blue jeans would make poor insulation.

You ought to contact them, though, before you jump into it. Perhaps they do need jeans, but you'll want to find out from them.

Lots of organizations get donations of stuff they don't need, because someone said that someone said that they did. When my son had cancer, we stayed at Ronald McDonald House frequently. Boy Scout troops, schools, even businesses would collect pop tops and bring them there. Bags and bags and bags of them! It cost more to get rid of them than any possible value they may have had! Years later, an email went out at my place of employment, and collection containers were set out in every break room. When I called the local R. M. House, they begged me to make it stop! (No one believed me at work!) If each person had given a penny each time, it would have been far more valuable.

So check directly with Habitat for Humanity to see what they need.
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Answer 3

It doesn't sound right to me. Habitat does rely upon donations but its usually materials from local businesses. I doubt a building inspector would allow jeans to be used as insulation. I'd suggest that you contact Habitat and ask what they'd like your son to do for them. Perhaps collecting donated items locally, selling them on eBay or Yahoo Auctions and giving the proceeds to Habitat would be equally rewarding. Good luck in what ever you decide upon.