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What to do with unneeded clothes? Helpsy can help!

The Public Benefit Corporation Helpsy facilitates responsible clothing recycling. Photo: Helpsy
The Public Benefit Corporation Helpsy facilitates responsible clothing recycling. Photo: Helpsy

Americans buy a lot of clothes. The non-profit Public Interest Research Group estimates that the average consumer bought 53 items of clothing last year, which is four times as much as 25 years ago.
A lot of that clothing ends up in the trash - it’s estimated that more than half of clothes get thrown out within a year after being purchased.
And in the US, upwards of 17 million tons of textiles get trashed annually.
A lot of those clothes could have a new life… and that’s what the Public Benefit Corporation Helpsy is working to facilitate. In this encore broadcast, we talk Helpsy chief of staff, Lisa Scianella.

Ashley Sterner is the co-host of WYPR’s On The Record. With co-host Sheilah Kast, Ashley interviews artists, scientists, community leaders, and others.