A Sustainable Partnership: Tough Stuff Recycling and Planet Aid
Originally published on the Tough Stuff Recycling blog.
Recycling is a powerful tool in our fight to protect the environment. In 2022, a mere 5- 6% of the 40 million tons of waste produced in the U.S. was recycled. The need for sustainable practices like recycling, and reimagining the lifecycle of everyday items in your household, has never been more crucial.
At Tough Stuff Recycling, we’re committed to recycling mattresses. But that’s not all. We strive to create new products from what is generated in the recycling process, extending the life of these reusable elements. That’s why we are thrilled to collaborate with PlanetAid.
Why PlanetAid?
PlanetAid has been a leader in the environmental sustainability space for years, focusing on reusing and recycling textiles and clothing, reducing waste, and promoting a circular economy. Their commitment to protecting our environment aligns seamlessly with our mission at Tough Stuff Recycling. We believe that recycling isn’t just about disposing of items; it’s about repurposing and reusing materials in a way that benefits everyone. By working together, we’re taking our recycling efforts to the next level – and helping Massachusetts residents do the same.
How We’re Working Together
Curbside Pick Up
Customers can now include an added donation when scheduling a mattress pick-up through our online portal. At no additional cost, customers can donate clothing, shoes, and textiles to be picked up with their mattress units.
The Email Confirmation and Donation Opportunity
Once you place your mattress pick-up order, you’ll receive an email from us, asking if you’d like to take advantage of the opportunity to donate to PlanetAid for free. This means all customers who are donating mattresses are aware of this new option! Helping the environment can be easy and stress-free.
PlanetAid’s Impact on the Environment
Did you know that Americans, on average, dispose 85% of their unwanted clothes and textiles into the solid waste stream? A jarring statistic – especially when nearly all textiles can be reused and/or recycled.
So why should customers recycle their textiles? Well, recycling your clothes and shoes will not only prevent future greenhouse gasses from being emitted but also lessen the need for newly manufactured clothes. This helps cut down on the environmental damage in the textile manufacturing process.
What Happens to Your Recycled Textiles?
Once you drop off textiles with your mattress, we hand them off to PlanetAid where they sort, bale, and resell them to developing countries, where the demand for used clothing is high. Alternatively, your textiles may be repurposed into something new. The proceeds go towards development projects like Teacher Training, Child Aid, and Farmers’ Clubs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It’s a win-win scenario.
Conclusion
Ready to make a difference? Visit our website now and schedule your mattress pick-up – and add on your textile donation, too. Let’s work together to create a more sustainable and compassionate community — one donation at a time.