Tucson Environmental Services Includes Bra Recycling in “Know Where to Throw” Campaign

Tucson Environmental Services launched a new “Know Where to Throw” waste diversion program on October 3, 2011. The goal of “Know Where to Throw” is to inform local citizens about recycling and reuse options available for often overlooked items, such as bras.

In Tucson, deputy director of Environmental Service Nancy Petersen, notes that the primary objective of this new initiative is to provide a drop off location for items that can be recycled, but not in the city’s residential blue barrels. “In Tucson, we can recycle about 35% of our waste in the blue barrels. We hope this program will increase our waste diversion by letting residents know that there are recycling and reuse options in Tucson,” stated Petersen.

The bras collected through the recycling program will benefit The Bra Recyclers, as well as three Tucson shelters: Gospel Rescue Mission, New Beginnings for Women and Children, and The Primavera Foundation.

Each of the three organizations benefiting from the new city recycling program provide services to the homeless population of Tucson. Gospel Rescue Mission provides shelter, food, clothing and restoration to Tucson’s homeless population. The organization currently supports over 40 women and anticipates serving over 100 women through 2011. New Beginnings also supports homeless women in the Tucson area by providing housing, supportive services and opportunities for growth that help create financially independent families. “Many of the women and children served at New Beginnings are coming out of a homeless situation and arrive with nothing but the clothing they are wearing,” said Executive Director Patti Caldwell via email. Approximately 70 mothers and children are serviced each month by New Beginnings. Finally, The Primavera Foundation offers a homeless intervention and prevention outreach center for individuals and families. Services include case management, referrals to emergency and transitional services, and help with basic needs.

The Bra Recyclers CEO, Elaine Birks-Mitchell, is very excited to be part of this great new city initiative and that the program’s launch can coincide with the second annual Bra Recycling Month. “We are so excited to partner with our neighbors in Tucson to spread the word about recycling items that most people do not think you can recycle. We look forward to providing ‘support’ throughout the year to organizations in the Tucson area,” Birks-Mitchell stated.

Tucson citizens can help impact the lives of countless homeless women, while clearing up space in their house by bringing bras to any City Council Ward Office and City Hall. These drop off locations can be found at:

. City Hall, 250 W. Alameda St.
. Ward I Office, 940 W. Alameda St.
. Ward II Office, 7575 E. Speedway Blvd.
. Ward III Office, 1510 E. Grant Rd.
. Ward IV Office, 8123 E. Poinciana
. Ward V Office, 4300 S. Park Ave.
. Ward VI Office, 3202 E. 1st St.

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About The Bra Recyclers:
The Bra Recyclers is based in Gilbert, AZ. A textile recycling company specializing in recycling bras, the organization does its part to help the environment by delaying the amount of unused bras and textiles that go to landfills, thus reducing the pressure on virgin resources. For more information, visit www.brarecycling.com.

The Bra Recyclers
3317 S. Higley Rd.
Ste 114-441
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Elaine Birks-Mitchell
bras@brarecycling.com
480-988-2283

This release was published on openPR.