Bra Recycling Month 2025: 20,000 Acts of Support for Survivors
October is a time of awareness. We reflect on the realities of breast cancer and domestic violence—and the lives touched by both.
At The Bra Recyclers, October also marks Bra Recycling Month, with this year’s theme: Empowering Lives Beyond Circumstances.
A bra may not seem like much. For a woman recovering from breast cancer, a mastectomy bra or prosthesis can restore comfort and confidence. For someone leaving domestic violence with nothing, a bra can be the first step toward feeling human again.
Yet while survivors face these needs, the U.S. discards about 17 million tons of textiles each year, most ending up in landfills. And nearly 80% of people with breast cancer experience financial strain that makes even basics hard to afford.
Turning Textile Waste into Items of Recovery
While survivors go without, millions of bras sit forgotten in drawers or end up in landfills.
Most are made with fabrics that won’t break down for centuries. It’s a quiet form of waste—but one that could instead become a source of dignity and care for someone who needs it most.
20,000 Acts of Support
This October, we’re asking for 20,000 acts of support.
We chose the target of 20,000 acts of support for Bra Recycling Month 2025 because it gives us both scale and clarity.
If 20,000 bras or related essentials are collected, that’s 20,000 chances to help someone who may otherwise go without.
It’s also a way to move the needle on textile waste—diverting that many items means fewer bras thrown away.
This goal isn’t random. It stands between what’s happening now (waste + unmet need) and what we believe we can do together.
How You Can Be Part of It
There are many ways to take part in Bra Recycling Month:
Recycle gently used or new bras by mail or at participating drop-off sites.
If you’re a retailer, host a drive, provide a recycling bin, or donate overstock and returns. Some of our ambassadors will even offer incentives for customers who recycle in-store.
Donate new underwear and essentials through our nonprofit arm, The Undie Chest, ensuring survivors receive brand-new items when they’re needed most.
Spread the word. Talk about the campaign, share our posts, and invite others to join.
🗓️ Bra Recycling Month launches October 1. Explore all the details here.
📧 Or, reach out directly at contactus@brarecycling.com to connect with Elaine about how you or your business can get involved.
