The concept of recycling is not novel. Bra recycling, however, is a new trend with a charitable cause.
Elaine Birks-Mitchell founded Bra Recyclers in October 2008 after she realized there was a need in her community. Birks-Mitchell began calling local shelters to see if residents needed bras.
“I had about a dozen bras in my drawer with tags on them still,” Birks-Mitchell said.
Birks-Mitchell describes The Bra Recyclers as a business that “fell into [her] lap.”
The Bra Recyclers strives to supply bras to needy women around the country and abroad, Birks-Mitchell said.
“Having a bra is pretty important,” said Shelly Gonsoulin, history sophomore. “I think it’s a great idea, especially if they’re nicer and might last longer.”
The Bra Recyclers is also a textile recycling company, Birks-Mitchell said. They donate usable bras and recycle worn-out bras to fund the company.
The Bra Recyclers currently have drop-off locations in 11 states and Puerto Rico where women can take their unwanted bras, according to their website. Many drop-off locations are small businesses who support the initiative, most of which contacted The Bra Recyclers on their own, according to Birks-Mitchell.
The Bra Recyclers searches for drop off locations that make donating convenient and easy. Louisiana does not currently have a drop off location, but Birks-Mitchell said she would like to have one in the Baton Rouge or New Orleans area.
“Louisiana is one of the areas we’re looking to open a shelter in,” Birks-Mitchell said.
Birks-Mitchell expressed interest in expanding to Louisiana because of the amount of needy women, especially those affected by storms such as Hurricane Katrina.
Currently, The Bra Recyclers supplies bras to 25 organizations and hopes to increase to 35 by the end of the year, Birks-Mitchell said.
Birks-Mitchell said media and the community have responded positively to The Bra Recyclers’ concept; however, they have received some ridicule.
“A lot of people don’t understand what we’re doing and why we’re trying to do it,” Birks-Mitchell said.
Some are disgusted by the idea of wearing a used bra, Birks-Mitchell said.
“When you’re leaving a domestic violence situation, you don’t think to pack a bra. If you were in a desperate situation, I bet you would take a used bra,” Birks-Mitchell said.
Birks-Mitchell advises people to step back and see what it’s like in someone else’s shoes.
“Anything that helps out, no matter how personal, is a good thing,” said Olivia Marino, English junior.
If people would like to donate but aren’t close to a drop-off location, there are four easy steps.
The Bra Recyclers ask people to wash their bras, tag them with the Bra Recycling form from the website, box them and mail them to Gilbert, Ariz. The full address can be found on BraRecycling.com.
 
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Contact Parker Cramer at
[email protected]