Planet Aid

Planet Aid is a non-profit organization founded in 1997 and registered under the laws of Massachusetts;^[1] it does business in 23 states nationwide.

"We started Planet Aid in 1997 in the Boston area," writes Planet Aid on its website. "The idea was to do something good for the planet and the poor. With only a few drop-off boxes and a rented storage unit, we started collecting clothes and shoes from the area. It wasn't long before our small rented space began to overflow. Though we were growing fast, the aim remained the same: expand global environmental sustainability and mobilize resources to end poverty." ^[2]

Planet Aid's primary activity is the collection of clothing and other items through donation bins in public places.^[3] Planet Aid partners with local businesses and other organizations to place bins on their property so that the public can access them easily. The aim is to make it more convenient for the public to recycle and thus increase recycling rates.^[4] As more textiles are recycled, there is less waste being disposed of in landfills.^[5] Recycling used clothing and shoes also contributes to reduced emissions of greenhouse gases.^[6] It also helps to save tax dollars by reducing the amount of waste cities must haul from residences.^[7] To help achieve its objectives, Planet Aid educates and encourages the public to recycle unwanted clothing or to otherwise repurpose them.^[8][9]

The Better Business Bureau recognizes Planet Aid as an accredited charity: "In finding that Planet Aid meets BBB Charity Standard 13, which addresses the accuracy of the charity's allocation of expenses, BBB WGA considered the following among other things. Planet Aid's primary activity is the collection of clothing and other items through donation bins in public places. Part of the charity's stated mission is the protection of natural habitats through the recycling of these donated items. Planet Aid's position is that, by collecting and selling these products, it is keeping them out of landfills that have a negative impact on the environment. Based on this, Planet Aid considers costs associated with the bins used to collect items to be serving both a programmatic (recycling) and fund raising purpose. In 2013, Planet Aid split these bin costs evenly between both programs and fund raising. In view of the above, BBB WGA is reporting that Planet Aid meets this standards but will revisit this circumstance if there is a significant change in the allocation of bin expenses."^[10]

Charities like Planet Aid that collect used clothing sell them both domestically and on the international market.^[11] Planet Aid sells the donated textiles it collects to support sustainable development in impoverished communities around the world. Since 1997, Planet Aid has given more than $90 million in support of over 60 projects in 15 countries.^[12] Planet Aid also supports various charities in the United States through direct donations of clothing and other goods.^[13]

Planet Aid collection box, Dexter, Michigan

Nationally and internationally, Planet Aid is accredited by or is a member of the following organizations:

• BBB Wise Giving Alliance^[14]
• GuideStar^[15]
• Global Campaign for Education^[16]
• Alliance for Global Food Security^[17]
• Aid for Africa^[18]
• InterAction^[19]
• The International Humana People to People Movement

Planet Aid is listed as a private charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID# 04-3348171

Planet Aid has regional offices located in the following areas:

• Northern New England
• Southern New England
• Upstate NY
• New Jersey/New York
• Philadelphia, PA
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area
• North Carolina
• Cleveland, OH
• Columbus, OH
• Detroit, MI
• Kansas City, MO
• Los Angeles, CA

Criticism

CharityWatch attacks Planet Aid, claiming it gives only 34% of funds raised to charity. They also note a broad discrepancy between Planet Aid's claim of spending 84% of its expenses on programs in 2011, whereas CharityWatch's analysis of Planet Aid's 2011 tax form and audited financial statements shows the charity spending only 29% on programs.^[20]

However, the Better Business Bureau does not agree with the CW assessment, and has fully accredited Planet Aid as a recognized charity. "Planet Aid considers costs associated with the bins used to collect items to be serving both a programmatic (recycling) and fund raising purpose," explains the BBB on their website. "In 2013, Planet Aid split these bin costs evenly between both programs and fund raising."^[21] Planet Aid's donation bins and associated operations increase consumer convenience in dropping off clothing and are helping to divert such textiles from landfills. Increasing convenience is a key factor in improving recycling rates, and Planet Aid says it devotes considerable resources to making greater convenience a reality.^[22] While textile recycling rates have been improving in the United States, still only 15.7% of textiles are recovered from the wast stream, and 12 million tons are being needlessly discarded annually.^[23]

External links

• Planet Aid website
• Planet Aid

References