Ubuntu is a Zulu proverb that means “I am a person through other people.” After Elaine Birks-Mitchell graduated from Purdue and began working in technology she always knew she wanted to give back to others. She had been raised by parents who modeled helping others all the time. Her mother was a teacher and a principal who went above and beyond to help her students and others. One of the many actions her father took to help others was to open a karate studio in the inner city of Milwaukee to work with inner city youth. Helping others was the heartbeat of her family. As life would have it a friend of Elaine’s who worked at a women’s shelter had shared the ongoing need for new bras and underwear. Elaine sprung into action, creating a website and post on social media asking women what they were doing with their gently used or never worn bras. This post resulted in many women wanting to donate bras. Elaine also reached out to retailers about taking old and returned bras as often these usable bras are discarded. This moment in time propelled Elaine into founding The Bra Recyclers.
“The Bra Recyclers is a for-profit social enterprise textile recycling company. We donate underwear to nonprofit organizations around the world and partner with consumers and retailers to responsibly dispose of textiles.”
Elaine is thorough and thoughtful. Details and intent matter. In wanting to make things better for people The Bra Recyclers vision, mission, and actions needed to reflect the “reuse of pre-loved bras and new underwear.” The business side focuses on sustaining the company monetarily. The social impact side focuses on gathering donations and giving them to nonprofit organizations. The Bra Recyclers embrace the principle of a “Circular Economy” to minimize waste and continually reuse resources. Reduce, reuse, recycle and upcycle while providing bras and underwear to women and girls in transitional programs, shelters, and Title 1 schools. Organizations who teach skills and employ individuals with developmental disabilities provide a crucial role in sorting through the bras and underwear received to determine where they will go. The Bra Recyclers partner with planet conscious individuals and sustainably led businesses. A fun fact I learned is that bras can be upcycled to be used in making punching bags. There are locations in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico for people to drop off new and slightly used bras and new underwear.
“At the Bra Recyclers, we believe that sustainable businesses have the power to make a real difference in the world.” The Bra Recyclers
B.R.A.V.O. These are the Core Values of The Bra Recyclers. “Believing and making a difference is success. Recycling with our partners, we can protect the environment and improve the lives of families in need by recycling. Advocates is embracing the need for underwear in underserved communities and a greener future. Voice is recognizing the importance of ensuring that each individual’s voice is heard and valued. Opportunity is striving to provide individuals with disabilities to make a positive impact and enhance the lives of others.” Because this mighty organization believes in these values, the decision was made to do more. The Bra Recyclers made a decision to expand outreach and founded the Undie Chest as everyone deserves underwear.
“At Undie Chest, we aim to restore dignity, foster healthier communities, and reduce our environmental impact through underwear donation.” Undie Chest
Undie Chest is a non-profit arm of The Bra Recyclers providing new bras and underwear to women and girls along with new underwear to men and boys in over fifty organizations and 60 Title 1 schools in and around Phoenix Arizona. These are not one time donations, this is an ongoing relationship. All organizations and Title 1 schools are vetted. Underwear donations have expanded to include men and boys. Elaine shared a story of a sixth grade girl who was being bullied at school about the size of her breasts and did not have access to a correctly fitting bra. The Undie Chest provided this girl six new bras and underwear, helping this girl feel more confident and happy. By helping those who are struggling with underwear poverty the ripples of positivity are endless. Undie Chest is also working with a group in West Africa to provide bras and underwear. Individuals and families who are experiencing financial hardships can experience underwear poverty where they do not have access to clean underwear. The Bra Recyclers and Undie Chest bring “comfort, dignity, and hope to those in need.”
“We extend our support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, human trafficking or domestic violence survivors, breast cancer survivors, and students attending Title 1 schools.” Undie Chest
Elaine founded The Bra Recyclers in 2008 on a part-time basis. Teamwork makes the Bra and Undie dream work as she and her husband are the only employees. Recently The Bra Recyclers began helping to support Impact One, a nonprofit supporting women experiencing breast cancer by helping women obtain free mastectomy bras. The Bra Recyclers is proud to celebrate everyday teaching and nursing heroes with the “Barbara J. Birks Above and Beyond Award” named in honor of Elaine’s mother. There are over 140 non-profits they donate to worldwide. Ambassadors are businesses who partner with The Bra Recyclers to “join the movement towards a greener future while aligning their brands with a cause (the environment) that resonates with customers.” After the tragic fires in California The Bra Recyclers and Undie Chest are working with vetted organizations to help provide bras and underwear. Because data is collected in all endeavors sustainability scorecards help support the positive impact being made. Elaine shared the wonderful stories from people whose lives have been changed fill her heart with joy and love, along with a greener future for the planet and people. She is continuing her parents’ love of giving back and helping others.
Kindness Champions is honored and thrilled to shine our Spotlight on The Bra Recyclers and Undie Chest. Where Elaine Birks-Mitchell is continuing her parents legacy of helping others along with her husband Johnny Mitchell Jr. to “promote a sustainable future by collaborating with retailers and their customers to recycle or reuse lingerie, reduce textile waste, and enhance environmental and community stewardship while also providing job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.” We thank you for being you and bringing your awesomeness to the world.
For more information here is their information:
Website: The Bra Recyclers https://thebrarecyclers.com/
Website: Undie Chest https://undiechest.org/
Instagram: @thebrarecyclers https://www.instagram.com/thebrarecyclers
Instagram: @undiechest https://www.instagram.com/undiechest
Facebook: @TheBraRecyclers https://www.facebook.com/BraRecycling/
Facebook: @TheUndieChest https://www.facebook.com/undiechest
TikTok: @thebrarecyclers https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrarecyclers
TikTok: @theundiechest https://www.tiktok.com/@theundiechest
YouTube: @BraRecyclers https://www.youtube.com/@BraRecyclers
YouTube: @TheUndieChest https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpIqdIqOwuikKBQhl76Hrvg
