Media Relations

Planet Aid – Mission and Objectives

Planet Aid is committed to helping poor and disadvantaged citizens improve their lives and those of future generations. Planet Aid supports communities in some of the poorest regions of the world through projects addressing health, education, food production, and income generation. Through its actions Planet Aid seeks to promote cooperation and understanding across countries and continents. International development objectives are:

Emergency and Disaster Relief

Serving victims of hunger, war, natural disasters, atomic accidents, plague and other disease outbreaks, and other catastrophes.
Assisting with victim relocation and rebuilding areas hit by natural and man-made disasters and accidents.

Development

Serving poorer nations, the poorest of the world’s populations, and supporting relevant and empowering development initiatives.
Undertaking a broad range of development projects worldwide, including but not limited to: building schools, establishing clinics, providing micro financing to small enterprises, supporting farming, and nurturing small-scale industry.

Protection of Natural Habitat

Protecting threatened elements of the Earth’s atmosphere, soil, plants, and animals.
Initiating actions to preserve rivers, seas, and forests.
Undertaking other projects aimed at protecting the natural habitat of the Earth.

Building the Organization

Serving the general public and making it possible for people to participate in activities of the organization.
Establishing educational facilities for training personnel and volunteers.
Forming members’ associations, initiating support groups, and establishing a worldwide cooperative network of participants and activists.

Research and Innovation

Developing methods and systems for the implementation of organization’s objectives and activities.
Producing and distributing informative materials to the public containing basic knowledge as well as specific information about the organization’s activities.
Producing educational, informative materials for use by schools related to the organization’s activities.

Planet Aid- 2010 Overview

Private Nonprofit Charitable Organization

Planet Aid is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used clothing and shoes and to support international aid and development projects. It is registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as a private voluntary organization (PVO).

Recycling Operation

Planet Aid began recycling in 1997 in the Boston area. Today, Planet Aid donation bins are found in several major U.S. metropolitan areas. Planet Aid collects and sells clothing to distributors, who make it available to customers in the United States and worldwide at a low price. The net proceeds are then donated to help people in developing nations meet basic needs.

In 2010, Planet Aid collected 95 million pounds of used clothing and shoes. Thousands of businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, nonprofits groups, and community organizations currently host one or more of the 13,000 donation bins located across the country.

Planet Aid Charitable Contributions

Planet Aid supports community-based development projects that improve health, increase income, aid vulnerable children, train teachers, and enhance the overall quality of life of people across the globe.

In 2010 Planet Aid contributed $12 million in direct and in-kind support to 45 international development programs in lesser-developed nations. Overall, Planet Aid allocated 78% of its funds to Program Services, which includes international aid, international exchange, training, and education, U.S. clothing collection, and habitat protection. Fundraising and Development represented 13% of funds, and 9% was allocated to General and Administrative expenses.

Since its inception, Planet Aid has donated more than $68 million to support similar programs in 43 countries. (See 2010 Planet Aid Annual Report and IRS Form 990 at www.planetaid.org.)

Planet Aid is a member of the Federation Humana People to People. The Federation comprises 32 national organizations, effectively uniting 330 projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. More than 12 million people are involved or impacted by these projects every year.

Textile Recycling Industry

According to the EPA, the average American discards approximately 70 pounds of textiles per year. In one year U.S. households and businesses generate 9 -12 billion tons of used textiles. Of this total, only 15% is recycled, the remaining 85% of clothing is discarded as trash. Of the 15% that is diverted from the solid waste stream, some is repurposed for a variety of industrial and consumer products. Some is donated to charities and sold in thrift stores or other outlets.

However, due to the vast amount of excess clothing generated every year, charities are unable to give away or sell the majority in the U.S. As a result, over 60% of all donated clothing is sold for reuse overseas where a there is a continued demand. In many African countries, 70% of the population has no option but to wear used or donated clothing. Charities like Planet Aid, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and thousands of other nonprofit organizations sell surplus clothing to raise charitable funds.

As an industry, used or discarded textile ranks among the top ten of all U.S. commodity exports. It employs, according to some estimates, between 20-30,000 workers directly and in peripheral jobs.

Environmental Impact

Nationally, clothes recycling efforts remove 2.5 billion pounds from solid waste disposal. A Technical University of Denmark study reported the environmental value of recycling one pound of clothing to represent: 3.6 lbs. of CO2 emissions saved, 700 gallons of water saved, 0.3 lbs. of fertilizer saved, and 0.2 lbs. of pesticides saved.

In 2010 Planet Aid collected and recycled 95 million pounds of used garments. Considering the environmental costs of producing new clothes, Planet Aid saved 68 billion gallons of water, 28 million pounds of fertilizer and 19 million pounds of pesticides through textile recycling during 2010.

According to a 2009 EPA report, manufacturers worldwide now produce clothing that is 99% recyclable. Used clothing and textiles are currently recycled at a rate of approximately 15%. By comparison, 23% glass, 21% of aluminum, and 13% of plastic is recycled.

Fact Sheet

Established in 1997, Planet Aid is a certified 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and is based in Hollliston, MA and with its operational HQ in Elkridge, MD. Our mission is to help the poor and disadvantaged improve their lives and those of their children.

Planet Aid is registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development as a private voluntary organization.

Planet Aid collects and recycles used clothing and shoes to support international aid and development projects. Planet Aid sells the clothing it collects to wholesale recyclers and distributors who make it available to customers in the U.S. and worldwide at a low price.

Thousands of faith-based organizations, schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses across the country host Planet Aid donation bins at their individual locations. Currently there are 13,000 donations bins across the country.

Planet Aid has collects between 95 -100 million pounds of clothing and shoes per year. Items which might otherwise wind up in a local landfill or industrial incinerator. Since 1997 we have collected and recycled more than 650 million pounds of clothing.

Last year, Planet Aid donated $12 million dollars to 45 international aid projects. Since its inception, Planet Aid has contributed more than $68 million dollars to aid programs on three continents.
Through several internationally recognized programs, hundreds of thousands of impoverished individuals in 43 countries have been able to improve their health, education, farming, or job skills.

Donate to Planet Aid

Planet Aid Frequently Asked Questions

What is Planet Aid?

Planet Aid is 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used clothing and shoes.

What does Planet Aid do? What is its mission?

PIanet Aid supports international development projects and is registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as a private voluntary organization (PVO). Planet Aid supports community-based development projects that improve health, increase income, aid vulnerable children and adults, train teachers, and enhance the overall quality of people around the world.

Where is Planet Aid located?

It is headquartered in Elkridge, MD and has operations in several major metro areas across the U.S.

How does Planet Aid collect clothing?

Planet Aid collects used clothing and shoes from individual donations at its approximately 13,000 donation bins. Thousands of businesses, churches and faith-based organizations, schools, nonprofits, and community groups host one or more bins at their locations. Bin contents are collected weekly, or as often as needed, by trained Planet Aid personnel.

What does Planet Aid do with collected clothing?

Planet Aid collects clothing and shoes and sells them to distributors who in turn make the clothing available at low costs to customers in the U.S. and in lesser-developed nations. Planet Aid then donates the net proceeds to help needy and impoverished people meet basic needs.

How much clothing does Planet Aid collect every year?

The amount varies, but in recent years Planet Aid has collected between 90-100 million pounds of clothing and shoes annually.

Why does Planet Aid sell the clothing it receives?

Planet Aid sells clothing in order to raise the necessary funds to support more than 40 international development programs in 16 countries. It also receives grants and funding from U.S. government agencies involved with international aid, private foundations, and other nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

Is the sale of used clothing unique to Planet Aid?

Most large organizations (including Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other charities) that collect clothing sell a large or majority portion to clothing recyclers. The recyclers redistribute the clothing to U.S. or international customers who make clothing available to lesser-developed countries. Used clothing is in the top ten of all U.S. exports, employs 20 – 30,000 people in the U.S., and is one of the leading sources of income for thousands of individuals in other countries.

How much does Planet Aid give to the needy?

Last year, Planet Aid donated $12 million in direct and in-kind support to 40 international projects. Since its inception in 1997, Planet Aid has donated over $68 million to projects on three continents.

Why are clothes sent overseas rather than distributed in the U.S.?

Planet Aid does contribute a portion of the clothing it collects to U.S. organizations. However due to the large volume of used clothing generated every year in the U.S., there is a greater need overseas for used clothing. Charities are unable to sell or give away the vast majority of donated clothing in the U.S. As a result over 60% of all donated clothing is sold for reuse overseas. In many poor and impoverished areas, 70 -80% of the population has no option but to wear used clothing.

What percentage of the funds that Planet Aid raises goes to charity?

In 2010, Planet Aid allocated 78% of its funds to program services, which includes international aid, recycling and habitat protection, and international exchange, training, and education. Fundraising and development represented 13% of funds, and 9% was allocated to general and administrative expenses.

Is Planet Aid part of any international aid organizations?

Planet Aid is an independent U.S.-based nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts and recognized as a tax-exempt charity under IRS code 501(c)(3). To further its purpose of relief and development, Planet Aid works with several other international charitable and relief organizations worldwide.

It is a member of the Federation Humana People to People. The Swiss-based Federation Humana People to People operates out of Zimbabwe and comprises 32 national associations, effectively uniting 330 projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Does Planet Aid compete with Goodwill and Salvation Army and other charities for clothes donations?

Planet Aid and other organizations have many of the same goals and similar missions. However due to the excess amount of clothing generated in the U.S. every year, there is more available clothing than existing clothing collectors are gathering. Currently, only 15% of all excess clothing and textiles is recycled, the remainder is disposed as trash and winds up in landfills or incinerators.

Where does Planet Aid place its donation bins?

Currently there are over 13,000 Planet Aid donations bins across the U.S. Thousands of businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, nonprofits, and community groups host one or more bins at their locations. Planet Aid seeks locations that are visible, convenient and in frequently visited areas.

Does Planet Aid get permission to place its bins?

Planet Aid representatives obtain written permission and work individually with each host before a bin is placed. Hosts are provided with detailed information about how the recycling program works and who to contact if they have any questions.

Does Planet Aid provide tax-deductible receipts for donations?

Yes, donations are tax-deductible and receipts may be obtained by contacting your local Planet Aid office.