What Is the Impact of a Recycled Bra to a Woman in Need?

What Does Your Recycled Mean To A Women In Need?

For so many of us, a bra is something we take for granted because we have six or more at our disposal.

For many women and girls, bras and underwear is a luxury.  

Over the years, I have met some amazing women who have been through horrific events but are still alive to tell the tale and share their stories.

If it weren't for these women going through such terrible ordeals, I wouldn't be able to use their stories to highlight the importance of our mission at The Bra Recyclers.

The feedback we receive from recipients of bras and the volunteers working with the women drive home how vital a bra is to a homeless woman on the street or in a transitional program. 

One of my most memorable comments was from a woman who was homeless and living on the street, and she said: 

'"A bra is a rape deterrent for a woman on the street."

My initial reaction was probably similar to yours; what do you mean by a rape deterrent? 

My initial reaction was probably similar to yours; what do you mean by a rape deterrent? 

Unfortunately, homeless women are highly at risk of sexual abuse, and many tragedies go unreported. 

A bra can help conceal a woman's breasts to deter uninvited attention. When I've attended bra fitting events, many of the women have on 2-3 bras to flatten their chest. 

This, of course, makes it very difficult to measure them for the right-sized bra. But I worked around it and ensured to get the ladies in something that would make them feel good about themselves.

Recycling your gently used, old bras have a far more significant impact than being green, reducing your carbon footprint, or aligning with the UN sustainable development goals; it can mean restoring dignity and providing comfort and safety to a woman or girl in need. 

Next time you're having a clear out of your drawers, please remember that someone can always benefit from your unwanted items.

We have shipping options via our recycling form and hundreds of drop-off locations to help you easily recycle. 

We're proud to offer a recycling rewards program so you can receive discounts and special offers from selected retailers as a thank you for contributing to a circular economy and changing a woman's life.