Planet Aid Second-hand Clothes

One of the premier rules of cleaning out a closet may be found in this simple sentence: "If you haven't worn it two years, get rid of it!" The skinny jeans that will never fit again, the dress that will never come back in style, the wool sweater that got washed in hot water, all are items that could have a better life than merely being used as insulation for a dark corner of a closet. You have a chance to turn your wardrobe regrets into a welcome gift for someone you don't even know.

There are dozens of nonprofit organizations that accept donated clothing, but very few that do what Planet Aid does. From the moment you close the lid of one of our waterproof, yellow collection boxes, your used shirts, blouses, jeans and shoes begin a journey that may well end on the other side of the world, ending in the hands of people who really need them.

Planet Aid collects, packages, and ships second-hand clothing and shoes, mostly to developing countries where clothing is in short supply. The donated clothing is sold at a deep discount, mostly so that fragile economies won't be disrupted by a flood of free goods that can bankrupt small garment makers. Once the packaged clothing arrives at its destination, it is sorted for quality and condition, and priced. The clothing is then resold at a local level, supporting small garment resellers on almost every continent. 

Clothes and shoes for work and recreation are essential for the well-being of poor men, women and children. They provide protection from heat, cold, wind and rain in a very direct way that is much more beneficial than simply taking up space in a landfill or consignment shop.

Planet Aid ensures that all usable donated clothing is recycled through reselling. This method is much better for the environment than incineration or dumping, both of which cause dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. It also reduces the carbon footprint of the clothing and transportation industries. Because previously made clothing is kept in circulation, fewer acres of cotton need to be grown and harvested, and fewer chemicals for synthetics are needed to produce nylon and polyester fabrics. 

The good news doesn't end with benefits to the environment. Planet Aid uses the money it makes to do more than just run its warehouses and pay for its fleets of trucks and collection boxes. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we reinvest the money left over into programs that help reduce poverty in the communities we serve. In developing communities, we help fund sustainable food production methods, and health, education and training programs. We help small businesses grow and make struggling communities more self-sufficient.

Planet Aid finds a way to reuse almost every item of used clothing received. Our yellow collection boxes can be found, curbside, in many metropolitan areas, and we continue to grow. The next time you notice that dusty pair of loafers that are still a half-size too small, start a new bag of donations. It will be full before you know it! Scarves, hats, jackets and gloves or shorts, t-shirts, caps and sandals are all welcome. You never know who you'll wind up helping to live a better life.