News That You Can Use Again Vol. 1 Issue 2

NEWS Volume 1 | Issue 2

that you can

USEagain

THE WORLD OF USED CLOTHES Extended life of clothes Earth Month Contest Results 2012

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Environmental Impact of a T-shirt

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Win an iPad 2

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If you have ever dropped off a bag of clothes in a USAgain collection bin you have probably asked yourself: where do the clothes go? The answer to the question is contained in the exciting story of the textile recycling industry presented in this newspaper. Read on to see how the reuse and recycling of clothes benefits our planet and everyone on it.

First, clothing recycling is a win for people, in the U.S. and abroad, who benefit from reusing perfectly good clothing that would otherwise go to waste. The clothing you throw out may have little value to you. Maybe the shirt became too large or the trousers too tight, or you are just not that excited about those shoes anymore. But there is nothing wrong with the clothes; they are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. By collecting surplus clothing with little value, bundling, shipping and distributing them to places with scarcity, the clothes become valuable to someone else. A growing number of people in the U.S. are dependent on thrift stores to clothe their families just as a growing number of families in developing countries are only able to clothe their families with pre-used clothes. If you wear something used, you’re in good company – more than 70% of the world’s population wears secondhand clothes.

Second, clothing recycling is a win for our planet.

Reusing clothes saves our environment from waste and pollution. Every pound of clothing cycled back into reuse prevents the emission of 7-14 pounds of climate changing greenhouse gases.

Keeping clothes out of landfills saves the planet from dyes and other harmful chemicals that leach into the soil and water table. More reuse results in a decrease in manufacturing of new clothing.

There are lots of mind-jogging facts: 700 gallons of water are required to produce one T-shirt.

Third, clothing recycling is a win for profit, jobs and livelihoods supported by used clothes worldwide. The used clothing industry is growing in the U.S., providing many tens of thousands of jobs in collection companies, thrift stores, graders and wholesale companies. The used clothing industry abroad benefits millions of people through job creation. It’s estimated that 1/5 of the population of Guatemala, in Central America, makes their living through the re-selling of used clothes, through small family-owned secondhand shops, or selling clothing on tarps in the market place. Used clothing is creating local employment opportunities in communities around the world; from the U.S. to South America, Africa to Asia.

Hundreds of thousands of Africans handle, clean, repair, re-style and sell used clothing to earn their livelihoods. All of this creates stable incomes that support families and benefit the local economy.

For the past 12 years, USAgain has been making it convenient for millions of Americans to do the right thing and recycle the clothes we no longer wear. Even in current tough economic times, the U.S. is a country of wealth and surplus compared to most countries in the world. We are a society driven by consumption and dependent on convenience, which may be why only 15% of the millions of tons of clothes we consume every year get reused or recycled. Market research has shown that a majority of people will not go more than 10 minutes out of their way to drop off clothing. Therefore USAgain makes it possible for consumers to responsibly rid themselves of their surplus clothing at more than 10,000 collection

points in 17 states while dropping off a child at school, while stopping at the grocery store, or fueling at the local gas station.

On the next pages you can read in more detail how used clothes are collected, sorted, packed, shipped and reused here in the U.S. and around the world. You will meet people who participate in and benefit from the used clothing industry and learn important facts about the industry’s positive impact on the environment.

We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions to the articles in this newspaper and we look forward to continuing to bring you the exceptional recycling service you have come to expect from USAgain. Please visit our website www.usagain.com or drop us a note at info@usagain.com.

The Extended Life of Your Clothes A Journey of Used Clothing from Your Local Collection Bin to People Around the Globe

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Drop off reusable clothes at your nearest USAgain bin.

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Textiles are sorted into categories based on condition, type and quality – and then shipped for reuse around the world.

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USAgain staff service the bins before they are 2/3 full, visiting daily if necessary.

This affordable commodity offers entrepreneurs who resell in struggling communities a hand up, not a handout.

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Clothing is pressed into half-ton cubes for transport from USAgain’s 11 warehouses around the country.

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For the 5.4 billion people living on less than $10 per day, used clothing is the only option.

www.usagain.com | info@usagain.com | 800.604.9533

Over 500 Schools Participate in USAgain’s Annual Recycling Contest Schools collect over 200,000 pounds of textiles in April 2012

USAgain is proud to announce the winners of

its annual Earth Month Contest to benefit local schools. The contest is a fun and educational way to raise textile recycling awareness and earn cash for schools.

During the month of April, participating schools across the country competed to collect textiles in USAgain drop boxes located at their schools. Schools actively promoted their event by distributing flyers, hanging posters, and conducting social media campaigns to spread awareness about the need to recycle textiles.

The top three schools in two categories, the most pounds collected overall, and the most pounds

collected per student, were awarded cash prizes of $500, $300 and $250 respectively. All participating schools earned cash for each pound of textiles collected and were presented with a Certificate of Sustainability from USAgain to honor their commitment to the environment.

“We’re proud to support local education through our Earth Month Contest,” said Mattias Wallander, CEO of USAgain. “USAgain fundraisers are a great way to educate students and the community about the need for textile recycling and reuse.”

This year 510 schools across the country participated in the Earth Month Contest.

210,362 pounds of textiles were collected for reuse

and recycling, saving 1,202 cubic yards in landfill space, and preventing 1,472,534 pounds in CO2.

Most Pounds Collected Per Student: 1.

2.

3.

Picasso Preschool (El Granada, CA) Mt. Vernon Academy (Daly City, CA) Alpha Montessori (Westchester, IL)

Most Pounds Collected Overall: 1.

2.

3.

St. Clare School (O’Fallon, IL) Sunrise Elementary (Kent, WA) Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School (Amityville, NY)

Sunrise Elementary students with the school’s Office Manager, Karen Rutledge.

Picasso Preschool students with the school’s Director, Candise D’Acquisto.

Mount Vernon Christian Academy students with school administrator, Rev. Alfredo Lewis.

Sunrise Elementary School – Kent, WA 2nd place, “most pounds collected overall”

Picasso Preschool – El Granada, CA 1st place, “most pounds collected per student”

Mt. Vernon Christian Academy – Daly City, CA 2nd place, “most pounds collected per student”

“Our partnership with USAgain is a huge help to our community so that they don’t have to travel far to recycle,” said Karen Rutledge, Office Manager at Sunrise Elementary. “Our school uses the funds we raise to go on fun field trips.”

“We’ve had a great experience with USAgain’s school fundraiser,” said Candise D’Acquisto, Director at Picasso Preschool. “People from all over the community have been able to bring clothes and shoes that they no longer need.”

“USAgain’s drop box has been a great asset to the community,” said Rev. Alfredo Lewis, pastor and administrator at Mt. Vernon Academy. “In fact, our collection bin was full within the second week of hosting it on our school’s property.”

Since partnering with USAgain, Sunrise Elementary has collected 70,948 pounds of textiles, saving 99,327,200 gallons of water, preventing the emission of 496,636 pounds of CO2, and freeing 403 cubic yards of landfill space.

Since partnering with USAgain, Picasso Preschool has collected 31,008 pounds of textiles, saving 43,411,200 gallons of water, preventing the emission of 215,056 pounds of CO2, and freeing 176 cubic yards of landfill space.

Since partnering with USAgain, Mount Vernon Academy has collected 1,918 pounds of textiles, saving 2,685,200 gallons of water, preventing the emission of 13,426 pounds of CO2, and freeing 11 cubic yards of landfill space.

www.usagain.com | info@usagain.com | 800.604.9533

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Used clothing has a truly global impact. Nearly 40% of the clothes collected in the U.S. stay here, while 60% is exported globally for reuse and recycling. Follow the used clothing trade at home and around the globe as we profile local shoppers and entrepreneurs making a living from – or inexpensively clothing their families with – used clothes and shoes.

Krystal – San Jose, CA “Today, I’m looking for something to wear to a party I’m going to in a couple of weeks. I know I’ll find something quickly, and I know it won’t break the bank. ”

Sandy – Omaha, NE “When shopping for new clothes each season, I always start at the local thrift stores.

My friends are always surprised at the good deals I find on good quality, brand name and sometimes vintage-chic clothes I pick up at consignment shops.”

Mary – Halifax, Canada “Halifax-area thrift stores are always a treat for me and my friends. I can usually find some nice things for my grandkids, too.“

Eduardo – Honduras “I started selling used clothing by sharing a small stand at the market with another person. I sell clothing for children and adults, backpacks, purses, sporting goods, toys, shoes, and other miscellaneous items.

My wife works with me, too.

Together, we earn enough to feed our family of six. Selling used clothes has been a great business opportunity for me.”

Pablo – Guatemala “Nearly 56% of the Guatemalan population lives beneath the poverty line. People here need used clothing – it’s affordable, stylish and good quality.

I import the used clothes and shoes from the U.S. by container loads and then sell to smaller distributors, who then sell via small retail shops or at their local market.”

Rodolfo – Nicaragua “We really like the clothes our parents get at the used clothes market. We think they’re cool!”

Used Clothing: A Global Industry

Thrift Stores Consignment and thrift stores are a huge, growing business in United States, and are only getting bigger. Secondhand clothing sales were up 12.7% in 2009 over 2008.

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Textile Graders Collected clothing, shoes and other textiles are sorted into hundreds of categories based upon the items’ condition, type and quality. The carefully categorized textiles are then shipped to buyers around the world where they can best be used.

Used Clothing Markets Markets around the world are host to local entrepreneurs buying and selling used clothing – often originating from the U.S. or Europe – in order to turn a profit, stimulate the local economy and provide affordable clothing to consumers.

www.usagain.com | info@usagain.com | 800.604.9533

Textile Recyclers Clothing and shoes graded as too poor to be re-worn are often cut for use as industrial cleaning rags or shredded to be remade into other products; home and car insulation, furniture stuffing, alternative fuel sources, and new clothing or accessories.

Alina – Moscow, Russia “I love to shop in secondhand shops. It’s very exciting to see what you can find so I come here often. I usually find good quality, fashionable clothes – sometimes even brand-name – at an affordable price. I love shopping for secondhand clothes!”

Brana – Bratislava, Slovakia “Checking the local resale shops is always a treat for me and my family. We’re constantly surprised at the articles we find. When my kids outgrow their clothes, we usually bring them to a thrift store so that someone else might find some use in them.”

Abhari – Delhi, India “Selling used clothing at the local markets is how we earn most of our income. People seem to really like our selection, but it’s also very affordable and of good quality.”

Ameli – Lome, Togo “I sell used clothes in the marketplace to make money for my family. I take care of my children and my brother’s children. My eldest daughter is also here, helping out with the sales. Used clothes make it possible.”

Adimu – Nairobi, Kenya “This is my livelihood.

Each week I check the new shipments and choose the clothing and shoes that I want to sell at my stall. It’s a good system and I’m able to support my family.”

Ganga – Rajasthan, India “I can only afford to buy used clothes for my children. And it makes sense – they grow too quickly! I’ll keep on buying secondhand clothing as long as it’s cheap and good quality.”

David – Lagos, Nigeria “I come to consignment shops first when my kids need clothes or book bags for school. They have the best quality items for the best price.”

Masani – Kampala, Uganda “I buy used clothing because I like to buy something that looks nice. I can afford to buy used clothing for my children and my husband. All used clothing pieces are different, so I can always find something stylish and affordable to buy.”

www.usagain.com | info@usagain.com | 800.604.9533

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What Goes in the Bin? T-Shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, pants, sweaters, bras, coats, underwear, etc.

Gym shoes, boots, sandals, leather shoes, socks, etc.

Pajamas, jeans, dresses, baby clothes, etc.

Hats, handbags, gloves, belts, scarves, backpacks, shawls, etc.

Bedding (sheets, comforter, pillow cases), blankets, towels, drapes, etc.

This article by Mattias Wallander, CEO of USAgain, was originally published in The Huffington Post. Read his monthly Huffington Post articles at: www.usagain.com/huffingtonpost.

Fashions change every season and when we

buy new things we have to get rid of the old, outgrown and out-of-style. Americans consume 65 pounds of new clothes per person each year and according to the EPA, American households discard a total of 25.4 billion pounds of textiles annually.

So, you’ve cleaned out your closet. And since you know that these clothes might have a second life elsewhere, you’ve hauled a couple of big bags of clothing out to the car and dropped them in a bin – one of many around town – that accepts used clothing. But where do the clothes go from there? Straight to the rack on the thrift store? What happens in-between? How does the secondhand clothing market actually work?

Used clothing is collected by a huge variety of organizations and companies: charities, community groups, and clothing recyclers and resale companies. In 2010, USAgain alone saved 56 million pounds of textiles from ending up in landfills. After clothes are collected they still have a couple of steps to take before reaching end markets across the globe.

Used clothing is purchased by three main parties: thrift stores, graders, and wholesalers.

Thrift stores are a huge and growing business – secondhand clothing sales increased 12.7% in 2009 over 2008. This is a significant increase considering that retail sales overall were down

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7.3% in the same period, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. But thrift stores here in the U.S. are only one of the markets for used clothing. A significant portion of secondhand clothing is sold to overseas thrift stores.

Between 1980 and 2001, the worldwide trade of secondhand clothing grew more than sevenfold, from $207 million to over a billion dollar industry.

Graders are companies that buy both re-wearable clothing and ‘mixed rags,’ castoffs from thrift stores that didn’t sell are exported or repurposed as wiping rags in various industries. Graders sort collected clothing and textiles into as many as 600 categories by clothing type, fabric, gender, color, size, quality and so forth. They then package them into bales based on type and ship them directly to thrift stores or to wholesalers. Rags may also be sold directly to recycling companies who shred them to make insulation material, furniture padding or reclaim fiber to make new textiles.

Wholesalers buy clothing and mixed rags directly from collection companies or from graders, and then sell them directly to retailers across the globe.

According to 2005 statistics, the United States is the world’s largest exporter of secondhand clothing in both volume and value followed by Germany, the United Kingdom and Netherlands.

Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe are the largest importers of secondhand clothing. The declared value of American secondhand clothing exported to Africa was $59.3 million in 2002 (most recent figure available), according to the International Trade Commission; probably one of a very short list of items that have seen such solid export growth for the U.S.

USAgain sells much of its stock internationally and therefore contributes substantially to the U.S. export economy. Expanding its reach to international used clothing markets is important not only to continue finding a new life for clothing that would otherwise be thrown away, but also to promote a sustainable lifestyle and create jobs in the local communities we work in.

Check out our latest media coverage

ABC, NBC, The Huffington Post, Waste Age

and Environmental Leader are just a few of the media channels and publications USAgain’s textile recycling programs have been featured in recently. To watch KSDK TV St. Louis’ recent feature of our St. Louis operation, or any of our other TV or radio interviews, head over to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ USAgainLive For a full list of our online and print media coverage, visit: www.usagain.com/coverage

www.usagain.com | info@usagain.com | 800.604.9533

How Heavy is that T-Shirt You’re Wearing?

A Heavy Impact.

A Fashion Staple’s Heavy Impact on the Global Environment

It’s winter again. Time to pull out your heavy wool

sweaters and pack away those T-shirts. We all have our favorites – in fact, most of our T-shirts are probably piled in a closet, jammed in the bottom of drawers, emblazoned with logos from sporting events and fundraisers, or commemorating concerts or special events. But did you ever stop and think about what impact a T-shirt has on our planet? You’d probably be surprised to learn what’s involved in the lifecycle of just one T-shirt.

There are 5 major stages in the lifecycle of any garment: material, production, transportation, use and disposal.

According to a study published in 2009 in the UK, the material, production and transport phases of one T-shirt weighing approximately 6 ounces produced in India uses 700 gallons of water, .22 pounds of fertilizers, .01 pounds of pesticides and 1.2 pounds of fossil fuels – just one T-shirt!

Those figures add up to a 6 ounce T-shirt contributing 5 ¼ pounds (84 ounces) of climate changing greenhouse gases before it is even worn once. By making sure the T-shirt gets used again by someone else after you are done with it, you can save the environment from the impact of making another T-shirt.

The material phase of the lifecycle involves farming, irrigating, fertilizing, harvesting and ginning. While cotton is a natural fiber and ultimately not as harmful to the environment as manmade fibers like polyester, it still takes a toll in the material and production phases.

China, India and the U.S. are the three largest

The environmental weight of a cotton T-Shirt.

producers of cotton in the world, and the U.S. is the world’s largest exporter of cotton. Commercial cotton farming uses an immense amount of water and more pesticides than any other crop.

According to the EPA, 25% of all pesticides used in the United States are used on cotton crops.

Once the cotton is grown and harvested, so begins the production phase: spinning, knitting, wet process, bleaching, dyeing, confection, cutting and sewing. These processes also use a great deal of water and energy. Commercial dyes and bleaches are harmful pollutants and can ultimately contaminate groundwater.

After the T-shirt is produced, it enters the transportation phase where it is shipped to distribution warehouses and retail outlets, often overseas. Take a look in your closet – chances are the vast majority of your cotton garments were made in China or India. Garments are mainly shipped via boat, train or truck, all of which spill CO2 into the atmosphere. Calculations from 2000 show that CO2 emissions from light trucks alone amounted to 1.15 pounds per mile.

Once the T-shirt reaches the retail market it is purchased, where the use phase begins. This phase may seem like the least environmentally detrimental portion of the garment’s lifecycle, but take into consideration the number of times you’ve washed and dried your favorite T-shirt.

Washing machines are certainly becoming more efficient, however, during the typical 50 washes that a T-shirt goes through during its use, the washing and drying cycles add between 15 and 22 pounds of CO2 emissions, depending on water temperature and appliance efficiency. By washing in cold water and line drying, emissions can be cut

ounces of greenhouses gases are emitted during the production of a 6-ounce T-Shirt.

down to 4.5 pounds during the use phase – and it reduces your utility bills, too.

The final stage of the life cycle, disposal, involves incineration, which releases harmful air pollutants or involves landfills where cotton takes 6 months to decompose. Current U.S. records show that only 15% of clothes and shoes are recycled, meaning that a shocking 85% of these materials are sent to landfills.

We all need new clothes every once in a while, but there are a lot of things we can do to help reduce our impact. Reuse and recycle clothes for example.

If they’re too worn out to wear, cut them up and use them as cleaning rags. Drop them off in a collection bin to be reworn, reused or recycled.

When possible, make an effort to buy organic cotton. Turn down the thermostat on your washer to cold, and line dry your clothes when space or weather allows it. Let’s all try to keep in mind what goes into the production of clothing... it has a real impact on the planet.

Why I Put My Clothes in a Collection Bin

Municipality

Patron

Patron

Patron

“... a tremendous benefit to the city environmentally and financially.”

CLINTON I. YOUNG, Jr., Mayor Mount Vernon, NY

“Recycling is very important to me and to my entire family.

We do all we can to ensure that nothing goes to waste.”

KAITLYN Atlanta, GA

“My old clothes shouldn’t go to waste. This box was on the way to work. Simple!”

MIKE Lockport, IL

“It’s a win-win situation...people have a convenient place to recycle their old clothes” JULIE MORRISON, Supervisor West Deerfield Township, IL

“...an easy way to make a difference that helps others and benefits the environment” ANN Sandia, MN

“It takes our business a step ahead in greening the planet...”

RICH PARLONTIERI, CEO Speedemissions Atlanta, GA

“It’s nice to know my kids’ old clothes and shoes can be used or worn again by someone else.”

CINDY Palos Hills, IL

“Finding time to drop off my kids’ old clothes isn’t an inconvenience since the USAgain bin is so close to home.”

YUNUHE Auburn, WA

www.usagain.com | info@usagain.com | 800.604.9533

Patron

Site Sponsor

Site Sponsor

Patron

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REG

Win an iPad 2

IST

RECYCLES DAY

ER

Oct obe 201 r 1 2 by

Take our online survey

Textile Collection Contest for Schools • Earn cash prizes –$500, $300 and $250 for the top 3 winning schools!

• Be recognized for your recycling efforts • Raise awareness in your community and divert waste from landfills

NOVEMBER 1-30, 2012

Browse to our website and take our short online survey for your chance to win a brand new Apple iPad 2.

For more information or to sign up, visit: www.usagain.com/america-recycles-day

Go to: www.usagain.com/survey

News That You Can Use Again Quiz Test your knowledge (and how well you read this newspaper) by taking our quiz! All answers can be found within the articles in this newspaper.

1.

How many gallons of water are used to manufacture one T-shirt?

2.

USAgain operates in ____ states across the U.S.

3.

How many schools participated in USAgain’s annual Earth Month recycling contest 2012?

A) 7 gallons A) 17 states

A) 317 schools 4.

B) 700 gallons B) 50 states

B) 17 schools

USAgain collected ____ pounds of clothing and shoes in 2011.

A) 1 million

B) 110 thousand

C) 35 gallons

D) 350 gallons

C) 2 states

D) 1 state

C) 33 schools

D) 510 schools

C) 60 million

D) 900 thousand

Check your answers at

USAgain Partners: Check your collection numbers online

USAgain site sponsors can see their location’s

latest collection data by visiting our website (www. usagain.com) and clicking on the “Site Sponsor Login” button.

On the Site Sponsor Login page of our website, you’ll find clear graphic representations and data showing exactly how many pounds of textiles you’ve collected for the month, how many pounds

of CO2 emissions you have prevented, how many gallons of water you have saved and how many cubic yards of landfill space you have freed.

www.usagain.com

Share your monthly results with colleagues, friends and family! Let customers know just how green your business, school, church or community has become.

About USAgain

Employment

USAgain (use-again) a green for-profit company was founded in 1999, and now operates over 10,000 collection bins in 17 states. Our mission at USAgain is simple: to provide consumers with a convenient and ecofriendly option to rid themselves of used clothing, which we divert from wasting in landfills for resale here in the U.S. and abroad. In 2011 alone, the company collected 60 million pounds of discarded clothing. A profitable venture headquartered in Chicago, USAgain has over 200 employees. For more information, visit www.usagain.com.

USAgain is a dynamic and fast growing company offering opportunities for talented, value-driven, difference making team members.

USAgain

facebook.com/usagain twitter.com/usagaintweets

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Clothes Collection System Corporate Office: 1555 W Hawthorne Ln #4W, West Chicago, IL 60185 Ofc: 800-604-9533 www.usagain.com • info@usagain.com

© 2012 USAgain all rights reserved.

Driver Service Representatives Accepting applications from experienced driver professionals who are hard working, friendly, outgoing and enjoy customer service. Excellent references, clean record, and DOT card required.

Community Recycling Specialists Accepting applications for outside sales positions in several markets.

Successful cold calling experience and passion for recycling required.

Management and Administration A variety of exciting careers are available through USAgain. Please check our website for the most current job offerings.

Check out our latest job openings: www.usagain.com/careers