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If you have bras sitting in the back of your dresser that no longer fit or simply never get worn, take a pause before you toss them in the trash. Unlike used underwear, gently worn bras are accepted by several charities and recycling programs.
Some organizations redistribute wearable bras to women and girls in need, while others recycle bras that are too worn to be reused. Before tossing yours in the trash, consider one of these places to donate used bras.
1. I Support the Girls
I Support the Girls is one of the best-known organizations accepting used bras. The nonprofit collects new and gently used bras and distributes them to women and girls experiencing homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, displacement, and other difficult circumstances.
The organization has affiliates throughout the United States, so you may be able to find a local collection point. Bras can also be donated through participating businesses and bra drives.
Bras should be clean and in good wearable condition. Sports bras are especially useful, but regular bras, bralettes, and other styles may also be accepted.
Best for: Clean bras that still have plenty of life left in them.
2. Aerie Stores
If you have an Aerie nearby, donating bras can be as simple as taking them along on your next shopping trip.
Aerie currently accepts gently used bras, bralettes, and sports bras in its stores through its partnership with I Support the Girls. Donated bras are then distributed to women and girls in need.
Aerie also currently offers customers $5 off their next bra purchase when they donate a bra. Promotions can change, so check the current offer before visiting.
Best for: An easy in-person donation option if you already live near an Aerie store.
3. Soma
Soma has been collecting bras for donation since 2010 and has collected millions through its program.
You can bring new or gently used bras of any size or style to a Soma boutique. Wearable bras are distributed through I Support the Girls, while bras that can’t be reused may be sent to The Bra Recyclers instead.
That makes Soma an especially convenient option if you’re cleaning out an entire bra drawer and aren’t sure which bras are still suitable for donation.
Best for: Dropping off both wearable and more heavily used bras in one place.
4. The Bra Recyclers
Not every old bra is nice enough to give directly to another person. If yours are stretched out or showing their age, The Bra Recyclers may be a better option.
The organization accepts new and gently used bras, including regular bras, sports bras, bralettes, nursing bras, mastectomy bras, bra pads, inserts, and breast prostheses. Clean and wearable bras may be redistributed through nonprofit partners, while other items may be directed toward textile recycling or other reuse options when possible.
You can search the organization’s directory for a nearby drop-off point. If there isn’t one near you, bras can also be mailed to its processing center in Phoenix.
Best for: Bras you’re unsure are nice enough to donate but don’t want to throw away.
5. Local Women’s and Domestic Violence Shelters
Just like donating professional clothes for women, bras can be overlooked during traditional clothing drives. Local women’s shelters, domestic violence organizations, homeless shelters, and transitional housing programs may need them.
Policies vary considerably, though. Some organizations accept gently used bras, while others only accept new undergarments.
Call or check the organization’s website before dropping anything off. If they don’t accept used bras, they may be able to point you toward another local organization that does.
Even Free the Girls, an organization once widely known for collecting used bras, now recommends contacting local domestic violence and homeless shelters when looking for somewhere to donate them.
Best for: Keeping your donation in your own community.
6. Local Buy Nothing and Community Groups
Bras can be expensive, especially in larger or less common sizes. If you have bras that were barely worn because they didn’t fit correctly, consider offering them through a local Buy Nothing group, neighborhood Facebook group, or other community giveaway group.
Include the size, style, and condition in your listing and make it clear that the bras have been previously worn.
This option can be particularly useful for specialty bras, such as nursing bras, sports bras, maternity bras, post-surgery bras, and hard-to-find sizes.
Best for: Bras in excellent condition that someone in your community could use immediately.
Does Free the Girls Still Accept Used Bras?
You may see Free the Girls recommended in older articles about bra donations, but the organization no longer collects bras.
Free the Girls discontinued its bra collection program after determining that selling secondhand bras was no longer as effective at providing income for the trafficking survivors it serves. The organization says it already has enough bra inventory to support its remaining bra-selling programs for years.
If you want your bras to support women in need, consider I Support the Girls instead.
What Condition Should Donated Bras Be In?
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether you would feel comfortable giving the bra directly to another person.
Bras intended for reuse should generally be:
- Clean and completely dry
- No heavy stains
- Free of strong odors
- In good structural condition
- Free from broken hooks or exposed underwires
A bra doesn’t have to look brand new. Some fading or minor wear is usually fine if the bra is still comfortable and functional.
If the band is completely stretched out, the fabric is torn, or the underwire is sticking through, look for a recycling option rather than donating it for someone else to wear.
Can You Donate Used Underwear?
Bras and underwear are generally treated differently.
Several organizations accept gently used bras, but used panties and men’s underwear are usually not accepted for hygiene reasons. For example, The Bra Recyclers accepts gently used bras but requires donated underwear to be new and unused.
If you’re cleaning out your entire underwear drawer, separate the bras from other undergarments before deciding where everything should go.
Don’t Throw Away a Good Bra
Bras aren’t cheap, and many get pushed to the back of a drawer simply because the size or style didn’t work out. If a bra is still clean and wearable, donating it can give someone else an item they genuinely need.
For the easiest options, check I Support the Girls, Aerie, or Soma for donation opportunities. If your bras are more worn, The Bra Recyclers may be the better choice.
Either way, a quick dresser cleanout can keep usable clothing out of the trash while helping someone else in the process.
