Planet Aid

Planet Aid is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used clothing and shoes to protect the environment and support sustainable development in impoverished communities around the world. The projects we support improve health, increase income, aid vulnerable children, train teachers, and help strengthen communities and reduce poverty.  Planet Aid's work is supported by a wide range of businesses and governments, and we are registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development as a private voluntary organization (PVO). Planet Aid is also an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.We started Planet Aid back in 1997 in the Boston area.  The idea was to do something good for the planet and the poor.  With only a few drop-off boxes and a rented storage unit, we started collecting clothes and shoes. It wasn't long before our small rented space began to overflow.  Though we were growing fast, the aim remained the same: expand global environmental sustainability and mobilize resources to end poverty.Planet Aid’s mission is to inform, mobilize, and inspire individuals and communities to work together to bring about worldwide environmental and social progress. Planet Aid recognizes that the Earth’s resources are finite and that good stewardship is essential for the well-being of current and future generations. The projects we support thus aim to protect the environment, reduce waste, and increase the efficient use of vital resources. We work to strengthen and organize communities, reduce poverty and promote small enterprise development, support sustainable local food production, improve access to training and quality education, and increase health awareness and encourage healthy lifestyles.We embrace the principles of equality and self-determination in all that we do and foster cooperation and understanding among peoples across the planet. Disadvantaged populations are our priority, and we seek to empower them to create lasting positive change.

Mission elements:

• Protect the environment, reduce waste, and increase the efficient use of vital resources.
• Strengthen and organize communities.
• Reduce poverty and promote small enterprise development.
• Support sustainable local food production.
• Improve access to training and quality education.
• Increase health awareness and encourage healthy lifestyles.
• Foster direct cooperation and understanding among peoples across the planet.
• Help disadvantaged populations of the world create lasting positive change.