By Christina Jones, Planet Aid’s Project Manager of Community Partnerships
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of representing Planet Aid at the 2025 National Recycling Congress in Wichita, Kansas—a gathering of sustainability leaders, policymakers, and nonprofit innovators committed to advancing the circular economy through collaboration and measurable community action.
The Congress, held October 2–4, offered three days of dynamic sessions exploring how reuse and recycling can create local impact. From panels on circular innovation to stories of resilience amid climate challenges, the event was a reminder that when we share ideas, we accelerate progress.
At this year’s Congress, I presented a session titled “Textile Reuse: Small Steps, Big Impact” at a session titled “Driving Change in Fashion Design: Redesigning Textiles and Reshaping Consumer Habits.” My presentation focused on Planet Aid’s nearly 30-year commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable community development through textile reuse.
I highlighted how our school partnerships, clothing collection programs, and community education initiatives are helping to reshape consumer habits and reduce the environmental toll of fast fashion. Each year, Planet Aid collects and reuses more than 70 million pounds of clothing and shoes, helping to divert textiles from landfills while funding programs that support education, health, and poverty reduction globally.
We discussed the stark reality that each American discards nearly 81 pounds of clothing annually, with only 15% reused or recycled. The fast fashion industry continues to drive overproduction—creating 100 billion items each year and contributing 10% of global carbon emissions. Yet the rise of the secondhand market offers a hopeful counter-trend.
Drawing on insights from ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report, I shared that the U.S. secondhand apparel market grew 14% in 2024—five times faster than retail overall—and is projected to reach $74 billion by 2029. Younger consumers are driving this shift: 39% of Gen Z and Millennials purchased secondhand clothing through social platforms last year, motivated by sustainability, affordability, and style.
Beyond my session, the Congress offered rich discussions on how technology, policy, and community partnerships can amplify sustainability efforts.
I attended the “Advancing Circularity through Collaboration and Innovation” panel featuring the U.S. Plastics Pact, Goodwill Finger Lakes, and WM, where leaders explored how cross-sector collaboration can make circular systems scalable and inclusive.
A particularly moving session, “Living Through It: Real Stories of Climate Resilience,” spotlighted communities adapting to environmental change with creativity and determination. It reminded me that resilience and reuse are deeply connected—both rooted in finding value where others see waste.
Building Connections for Future Collaboration
One of the best parts of the Congress was connecting with peers who share Planet Aid’s mission. I had the chance to meet individuals from organizations like:
• Civil Agents, an organization using gamification to inspire sustainable action;
• Techwears, an artist turning e-waste into upcycled jewelry and art;
• Understanding Zero Waste, a podcast launching January 2026
• Race to Zero Waste, a nonprofit that brings zero waste concepts to life by taking action
• National Recycling Coalition Campus Council, which strives to create stronger linkages between higher ed and the sustainable materials management industry; and
• Strategy Zero Waste Solutions, which helps businesses, institutions, and communities lead the way to Zero Waste.
These organizations reaffirmed the immense creativity and momentum there is within the recycling and reuse community—and how much potential there is when we work together.
The National Recycling Congress was a powerful reminder that the reuse movement is gaining strength. Every clothing drive, every school partnership, every community bin brings us closer to a world where reuse is the norm, not the exception.
At Planet Aid, we believe that small steps—like donating a pair of shoes or choosing secondhand—create big impacts for our planet and communities. I left Wichita inspired by the partnerships forming across the country and proud that Planet Aid continues to help lead this transformation.
As we approach America Recycles Day in November, I’m more motivated than ever to continue expanding our school and community programs, inspiring future changemakers to see textiles not as waste but as opportunities for a more sustainable world.