Recycle your bras for charity

I don’t know about the lot of you out there but this week I’m in the mood for recycling. Perhaps it has everything to do with the fact my drawers and wardrobe was screaming in suffocation but it is probably more likely due to my loving mother’s “visit” and remarks of “concern”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not messy, everything is neatly folded, packed, stacked and tidily put away...the problem is I’ve just got too many clothes and I’m running out of space to put /hang them (possibly actually ran out of it too).

I’m certain I’m not alone when I say I’ve got pieces that I’ve only ever wore once or possibly even not at all because it has lain hidden among the rest since the day it joined my wardrobe family collection. And I’ll probably never ever wear again (or wear for the first time since I brought it home) because:

1.    I’ve outgrown them
2.    It’s not my taste, anymore anyways –try not to judge me, a girl’s allowed to change her mind
3.    It was a gift so not exactly my style or my size

But the truth is I’ve always known I’ve had these stash of under-utilized pieces in my wardrobe. I mean it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that there must be many unworn ones when all I keep laundering are the same few pieces yet my wardrobe still stays full to the brim.

But let’s talk about clearing one type of clothing at a time. Let’s begin by working through my lingerie drawer...All I can say is, wow!  Why? Well let me ask you this question, “Have you ever had a bra you just don’t want anymore?” The answer is pretty obvious isn’t it? Of course you do because women in general (myself included) own not just one but one too many brassieres that they no longer use (because they don’t fit or they were never practical) but just never get around to giving the toss.

So there they are, my collection of never worn, hardly worn and not ever going to attempt to wear brassieres lined up neatly on a silent unappreciated parade in my drawer. So what exactly should I be doing with them? Unlike a blouse or a dress, you can’t exactly make them gifts or pass those along to your friends...or maybe you can but that’s a bit strange for me. To toss them out would seem like such a waste – most of them are brand new or as a faithful Ebayer would describe, “In mint condition”.

So what’s to be done with them? Stuffing them back in the drawer isn’t a solution because it seems to  be the reason why I’m having this problem in the first place (denial of I don’t need it). Well I looked it up and found that I (we) can actually donate bras just like how we would donate any other item of clothing. Sure it seems strange but it’s all really for a good cause and there’s nothing awkward about it.

Many people take for granted the simple yet vital breast supporting device known as the bra. It is one of the most brilliant inventions and has become a necessity to women all over the world yet many fail to recognise the fact that there are women whom for whatever reason don't have a bra. They may be homeless in the UK/US or living in a country where the price of a new bra is just out of their reach.

There are several programs going on to collect and recycle used bras. In the US, there’s the The Bosom Buddy Recycling Program™ and in the UK there’s the the BreastTalk.co.uk Bra Appeal!
Both programs are worth your time and bra donations because they work to bring the basic needs to live (as simple as a bra) to the lesser fortunate women.

BreastTalk.co.uk collects and distributes your unwanted bras to charities in the UK and abroad.They also help raise money for breast cancer research by selling some of the bras collected to BCR Global Textiles who pays them £1 per kilo for bras collected. The cheque is written out and sent directly to UK charity Breast Cancer Campaign.

To find out more about how you can donate your bras please follow these links:

• USA
• UK