How Secondhand Clothing Sparks Women's Economic Opportunity

When you drop off your used clothes at a Planet Aid Donation Centers, you’re not just keeping textiles out of the landfill—you’re helping create opportunity for women across the globe.

Through our partnerships with organizations like Garson & Shaw, the clothing we collect is resold in bulk at low prices to markets in the Global South. There, it enters a vibrant secondhand economy—and women are leading the way.

A Lifeline for Women with Limited Options

An estimated 60% of secondhand clothing retailers in the Global South are women. These entrepreneurs often face significant barriers to formal employment, especially those who have not completed elementary school—a reality for 63% of these women, according to data shared at this year’s Garson & Shaw Conference.

But secondhand clothing gives them a chance to build something of their own.

They sort, clean, and often repair or tailor garments to sell in open-air markets and small shops. What starts as a simple bag of donated clothes becomes inventory for their business—and a source of income, stability, and pride.

A Chain of Impact

It’s easy to think of clothing donation as a one-time act. But what you give has ripple effects. Planet Aid’s model not only promotes reuse and sustainability—it plays a powerful role in economic empowerment. Each item donated can support a woman in growing her business, supporting her family, and gaining independence.

And in countries where women’s economic opportunities are limited, this impact matters even more.

The Bigger Picture

When corporations, schools, and communities partner with Planet Aid to host collection bins, they’re contributing to a global chain of empowerment. The clothing collected here in the U.S. fuels the entrepreneurial spirit of women around the world—women who are transforming challenge into opportunity, one garment at a time.

So the next time you place a shirt or pair of shoes into a yellow bin, remember: you’re not just donating clothing. You’re helping a woman build her future.