Sign up to help Planet Aid collect half a million pounds between Nov. 15 and Dec. 2
For America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, Planet Aid is inviting schools, businesses, municipalities and community organizations in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast to help reduce textile waste by hosting a clothing drive. Planet Aid has set an ambitious goal of collecting half a million pounds of clothes, shoes and textiles for reuse between Nov. 15 and Dec. 2. Hosting a clothing drive is an excellent opportunity for organizations to promote environmental and social responsibility.
Sign up to host a clothing drive >>
Why Host a Clothing Drive?
The statistics on textile waste in the U.S. are alarming. Despite widespread recycling efforts, only 15% of textiles are currently reused or recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The remaining 85% ends up in landfills (60%) or is incinerated (15%), contributing to pollution and wasted resources. By partnering with Planet Aid to host a clothing drive, your school, business, town or organization can be part of the solution.
How Your Organization Can Make a Difference
Whether you’re a school looking to engage students in sustainability, a business eager to reduce your environmental footprint, or a community group seeking a way to give back, hosting a clothing drive with Planet Aid is easy and impactful. Here’s how your organization can get involved:
1. Sign Up to Host a Clothing Drive
Hosting a clothing drive with Planet Aid is simple. We provide all the materials and support needed, including promotional flyers, social media posts, and a team to pick up the donations at the end of the drive. All your organization has to do is sign up, rally participants, and watch the donations roll in. The more textiles you collect, the bigger the positive impact you’ll make on the environment and the community.
2. Engage Your Community
Once you’ve signed up to host, encourage your community to participate. Schools can involve students by tying the drive into lesson plans on sustainability, while businesses can challenge employees to clean out their closets and contribute. Hosting a drive also presents an excellent opportunity for team building and corporate social responsibility. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to inspire a culture of recycling and environmental stewardship.
3. Already Hosting a Planet Aid Bin? Spread the Word!
If your school, business, or organization already hosts a Planet Aid bin, America Recycles Day is a perfect opportunity to ramp up participation. Use your platform to remind people about the importance of textile recycling and encourage them to drop off donations during the two-week drive. A little promotion can significantly increase contributions and help us reach the goal of 500,000 pounds of textiles diverted from landfills.
4. Donate used clothes and shoes
Finally, clean out your closet and donate your unused clothes and shoes to a Planet Aid bin or a Planet Aid clothing drive. Your donations will be reused and proceeds raised help fund organizations in the U.S. and across the globe working to strengthen their communities.
Find the nearest Planet Aid donation bin >>
The Environmental Impact of Textile Recycling
By diverting textiles from the waste stream, we can reduce harmful emissions and conserve valuable resources. Every item of clothing recycled with Planet Aid is one less piece contributing to environmental degradation.
“Textile recycling is something every community can embrace to create positive environmental and social impact,” said Planet Aid President and CEO Fred Olsson. “By hosting a clothing drive, you’re helping us divert waste, conserve resources, and support vital programs that strengthen communities both locally and globally.”
Your Donations Support Global Impact Programs
By hosting a Planet Aid clothing drive, your organization is doing more than helping the environment. All donations also support Planet Aid’s education, health, and sustainability initiatives worldwide. These programs provide essential services to vulnerable communities, helping to build a brighter and more equitable future. Planet Aid collaborates with local and international organizations to ensure that your clothing drive will have a lasting, far-reaching impact.
Donations are also tax deductible. Donors can generate their donation receipt at planetaid.org/get-a-receipt
How to get started:
- Sign up to host a drive. We provide everything you need to help us collect half a million pounds.
- Engage and encourage donors. Spread the word to encourage your community to donate clothes rather than throwing them away.
- Donate your own unused clothes and shoes. Every donation is a small step toward protecting the planet and supporting critical development programs around the world.
Mark your calendars and start planning now to launch your clothing drive on November 15. By joining Planet Aid in this effort, you’re helping to build a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable world—one piece of clothing at a time.
Together, let’s make America Recycles Day 2024 the most impactful one yet!
