New Service Provides Free, Convenient Alternative to Throwing Out Used Clothes, Shoes and Other Items
Milford, MA - September 2, 2024 – Planet Aid, a nonprofit specializing in textile reuse to fund community development, is excited to announce the launch of its new Home Donation Pickup Service in Milford, Millbury & Hopedale, Massachusetts. Residents in the 01757, 01527 and 01747 zip codes can schedule free pick ups on Saturdays to donate gently used textiles and other household items. The service is Planet Aid’s latest effort to make it easier for Massachusetts communities to reduce textile waste, in line with the state's recent ban on textile dumping.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 85% of textiles in the U.S. end up in landfills or are incinerated, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. With this new service, Planet Aid aims to increase the reuse and recycling rate of textiles and reduce the environmental impact of textile waste.
After scheduling a pick up, donors simply bag and seal their items and place them on the curb by 8:00 AM on the day of pickup. Accepted items include clothing, accessories, shoes, and other textiles like sleeping bags and towels, as well as small toys, books, and DVDs. Planet Aid requests that donors refrain from donating wet or soiled items, as they cannot be reused.
Fred Olsson, CEO of Planet Aid, noted that the new service as a significant step toward making donations more convenient and reducing textile waste.
"Planet Aid’s mission is to keep reusable textiles out of landfills and provide a second life for items that would otherwise contribute to environmental pollution. This home pickup service is another way we are helping Massachusetts communities comply with the state’s textile waste ban and making it easier than ever for people to donate rather than discard," said Olsson.
With the new Home Donation Pickup Service, Planet Aid continues to innovate in textile reuse, offering new solutions to help the environment. while supporting community development programs through the sale of donated items. Planet Aid's Milford facility already collects an average of 12,100 tons of textiles annually, and the addition of home pickups will further bolster these efforts.
For Massachusetts residents who don't live in Milford or Hopedale, Planet Aid encourages them to find the nearest donation bin on its website. Every donation helps fund Planet Aid’s community development projects, making a difference locally and globally.
To schedule a pickup or to learn more about Planet Aid’s donation services, visit: planetaid.org/lp-home-donation-pickup.
About Planet Aid
Planet Aid is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development in communities around the world. Founded in 1997, Planet Aid collects and recycles used clothing and shoes to reduce waste and fund international development projects. The organization operates in 17 states across the U.S. with more than 10,000 donation bins and 47 donation centers. To learn more, visit www.planetaid.org.
Media Contact:
Haley Chitty
Communications Manager
Planet Aid
443-401-6939
hchitty@planetaid.org