Planet Aid staff converged with sustainability industry leaders in San Diego for the Textile Recovery Summit held Feb. 23 -25, 2026. This unique event convened experts to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities to expand the textile circular economy. Planet Aid shared its extensive experience and expertise in the secondhand industry, particularly in the realm of textile reuse.
Textile Recovery Summit Panel
Uli Stosch, Planet Aid’s Chief Officer of Strategic Development presented as a panelist in the Textile Sorting and Grading Workshop. Stosch heads up Planet Aid’s B2B relations, retail store development and textile circularity work.
The Textile Recovery Summit included a spectrum of panelists from the secondhand industry, giving voice to an array of perspectives. Stosch and the other panelists stressed that they are united in their aim to inspire actionable strategies for reducing textile waste and promoting a circular secondhand economy.
The Importance of the Summit
The Textile Recovery Summit 2026 was held in coordination with the Plastics Recycling Conference and the Resource Recycling Conference, representing the materials management industry in full. In the past, textiles were not included in the greater waste management conversation, but now, in its second year, the Textile Recycling Summit is offering a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates to come together and discuss the pressing issues surrounding textile waste.
As the industry faces growing challenges related to sustainability, it is more crucial than ever to explore new ideas and forge partnerships leading to meaningful outcomes.
Planet Aid's Role in the Secondhand Industry
Planet Aid has long been a champion of environmental sustainability through our innovative approaches to reducing textile waste. With a mission to promote the reuse of clothing and other textiles, Planet Aid has established itself as a leader in the secondhand industry by:
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establishing a vast network of collection bins and donation centers to ensure that unwanted clothing finds new life;
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diverting tens of millions of pounds of textiles from landfills each year;
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helping to support sustainable development initiatives around the globe through the resale of reused textiles;
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partnering with the community and schools to spread the message of reuse before recycling.
Planet Aid’s dedication to promoting reuse has positioned the organization as a vital player in the circular economy, making its participation in the Textile Recovery Summit all the more significant.