Highlighting Planet Aid’s Multifaceted Fight Against Plastic Waste on World Environment Day

As the world marks World Environment Day, we’re reminded of the urgent need to address one of the planet’s most persistent threats: plastic pollution. This growing crisis affects our environment, marine life, and communities across the globe. But solving it doesn’t start with large-scale policies alone—it begins with everyday people taking local action and making sustainable choices.

Planet Aid is a member of The Federation Humana People to People and we turn donated clothes and shoe donations into funding for a network of experienced, local organizations tackling the most pressing humanitarian, social and environmental challenges in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

One of these organizations is Humana People to People Belize (HPPBZ) which has launched the Full Circle Belize Project, a community-driven program reducing plastic pollution by raising awareness, building youth leadership, and transforming waste into new opportunity. And it’s made possible, in part, by the support of people like you—donating clothes and shoes to Planet Aid.

Reducing U.S. Plastic Waste

Most clothing today contains synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and spandex—materials derived from petroleum. When thrown in the trash, these textiles contribute to the plastic crisis. In U.S. landfills and incinerators, they leach microplastics and toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil.

Planet Aid combats this issue by removing these petroleum-based textiles from the waste stream. Each year, millions of pounds of used clothes and shoes are collected through our iconic yellow bins. By diverting these items from landfills and incinerators, we significantly reduce plastic waste and pollution right here in the United States.

Reuse Powers Global Change

Instead of becoming waste, donated clothes and shoes are reused in global secondhand markets, giving them a new life and reducing the need to manufacture new textiles. This process conserves water, energy, and raw materials, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from textile production.

One of the things that makes Planet Aid unique is how it channels the proceeds from these donations. The funds raised help support community-led development projects around the world—like the innovative waste reduction efforts now taking root in Belize.

Building a Sustainable Waste System in Belize

Like many countries, Belize is grappling with serious plastic waste challenges, both on land and in marine environments. In response, Humana People to People Belize launched the Full Circle Belize Project—a youth-led, community-focused initiative aimed at creating a more sustainable waste system.
The project is:

• Installing plastic collection infrastructure (15 new bins across 10 communities in 2024)
• Running school-based environmental education, reaching more than 600 students
• Launching nine community campaigns and two major social media efforts
• Forming a Biodiversity Guardians Network of 40 young environmental leaders
• Recovering over two tons of plastic waste from local communities

The project fosters a circular economy by training youth in entrepreneurship and turning collected plastic into new, affordable products. Through education, advocacy, and action, it is cultivating a culture of environmental responsibility and resilience.

Your Impact: Local Action, Global Results

When you donate to Planet Aid, you’re not just clearing out your closet. You’re helping:

• Keep harmful textiles out of U.S. landfills and incinerators
• Reduce plastic waste and microplastic pollution
• Extend the life of clothes through reuse
• Fund global initiatives like Full Circle Belize

The path to a plastic-free future isn’t easy—but with your continued support, it’s possible. Whether through education, youth empowerment, or community engagement, people remain the most powerful force for change.

Together, we can keep plastics—and plastic-based textiles—out of the environment and build a cleaner, more sustainable world.