History

We started Planet Aid 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 bins and a tiny office, we started collecting clothes and shoes. We put our faith in the idea that people had a desire to help others and the planet, and that if we only provided a way for them to support a worthy cause, they would jump at the opportunity.

So with our newly born nonprofit registered and ready to go, we ventured out into the Boston area with a few dozen collection boxes and a truck. It wasn't long before our small rented space began to overflow.

In 1998, Planet Aid moved to Lawrence, Mass., and rented its first warehouse. We moved again the following year to a larger warehouse in Holliston, Mass., which remained Planet Aid’s hub in the state for 14 years. In that same year, Planet Aid expanded to Washington D.C. and New York. Planet Aid continued to grow, and we currently serve communities in 15 states.

During its more than two decades of work, Planet Aid has diverted more than 1 billion pounds of clothing from the municipal waste stream and has helped millions of people in the developing world. We employ more than 250 staff and continue to divert approximately 80 to 100 million pounds of unwanted clothing from the waste stream each year. Throughout our growth, we have remained true to our nonprofit ideals to support sustainable development around the globe.  The donations we received have gone a long way toward helping the poor find and grasp opportunities that lead to lasting improvements and a better quality of life.

As a member of Humana People to People (HPP), we are aligned with the UN 2030 agenda. Together with the people in the communities we support and our HPP co-members, we stand by countries as they strive to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.