As the name implies, Planet Aid's mission is global; we care about the state of our planet and the people that inhabit it. We focus on supporting projects in countries that have few resources and whose people struggle to rise from poverty. We also help people here at home when we can.
For the Environment
Planet Aid helps the environment by diverting clothing and other textile materials from disposal. Clothing that is reused not only reduces landfill burdens and associated greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduces the need to produce new textile fibers and manufacture new clothing—a resource-intensive process requiring large inputs of fossil fuels, water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
In the U.S., Planet Aid has contributed to the development of sustainable energy. In September of 2017, we unveiled a 70,000 square foot rooftop solar power-generating installation at our Milford, Massachusetts facility. This array's solar panels will generate nearly 700,000 kW per year, saving approximately 28,000 barrels of oil from being burned. The array also contributes to Massachusetts' goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions to 15 percent of 1990 levels by 2020.
For People Abroad
The clothing collected by Planet Aid in the U.S. is sold on the international market. The net proceeds generated from the sale support projects that help people in developing nations.
Our philosophy is one that seeks to give people a hand up rather than a hand out. We believe that individuals and communities can be mobilized to lift themselves out of poverty. Together with our in-country partners, we seek to strengthen education, prevent disease, increase income, and much more.
We are proud of the success we have been able to achieve, and, in 2017, we impacted many thousands of beneficiaries in 12 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. You can learn specifics of our work in our 2017 Annual Report.
For People at Home
Though our mission is global, we also help those at home, especially when tragedy strikes or difficult conditions arise. For example, this past year, Planet Aid provided coats to the large number of refugees who fled Puerto Rico in the wake Hurricane Maria. We also helped with the cleanup efforts after devastating flooding ravaged Ellicott City, Maryland in May and June.
Our regional centers donate clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and other items to the homeless in Cleveland and previously in Kansas City; and we donated to local food pantries in New Jersey and Kansas City. Our Northern Ohio regional center took on a new role and expanded their partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to help inmates "go home to stay home."
This is but a short list of the ways in which we help, and we continually search for new organizations to partner with. If you, your company, family, school, or community is interested in supporting or partnering with Planet Aid, see our get involved page to learn how you can help.