NEWS RELEASE
ECOSUPERIOR
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THUNDER BAY – For the entire month of March, in honour of International Women’s Day, EcoSuperior is hosting a community drive to gather used or new bras in support of Free the Girls, a non-profit organization that supports victims of human trafficking.
“International Women’s Day is not only about celebrating the achievements of women, but about supporting female-focused charities. This initiative acts as a connector; between women in Thunder Bay and women in other countries and between unused items being reused to make a positive difference in another’s life,” said Jesse Hamilton, ReThinking Waste Program Coordinator, EcoSuperior.
Women in countries like El Salvador and Mozambique receive the donated bras to start their own businesses selling the bras in local markets, providing an economic opportunity and a chance to change lives.
This project’s use of upcycling contributes to a circular economy while keeping bras from ending up in landfills. Through the Free the Girls Project, 230,000 pounds of bras have been given to women who use them as stable and safe income instead of them turning into waste. Since 2011, Free the Girls has collected over 1.4 million bras globally; this will be the first year Thunder Bay joins the project.
“’Free the Girls' organization exists to help women rescued from human trafficking reintegrate into their communities. EcoSuperior is proud to align an innovative solution that redirects 'waste' from our landfills, and in turn, provides a livelihood to a woman in another community,” said Sue Hamel, Executive Director, EcoSuperior. “I encourage all women of Thunder Bay and the region to clean out their drawers and donate generously!”
EcoSuperior is asking for donations of gently used or new bras to be dropped off outside the backdoor of EcoSuperior's office at 562 Red River Road, Monday through Thursday, during office hours, from now until March 31.
