If you’ve ever taken a stroll behind the field house near the engineering classrooms, you’ll notice the dumpsters and recycling bins. But if you look closely you’ll notice more than just trash and reusable items. Just to the right near entrance number 17, there is a big green bin labeled “USAgain.” If you look at this bin as just another way to “go green,” it may seem like a harmless way to just donate your unwanted items. However, there is much more to this donation bin than meets the eye.
According to the USAgain website, they refer to themselves as a green for-profit company, trying to minimize textile waste. They provide many locations across the United States, where you can drop off clothing and shoes wherever, whenever. The clothes and shoes then become available for cheaper prices for those who can’t afford new items. They claim these bins, conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas exposure, and reduce landfill space. It’s referred to as “a win-win-win proposition.”
However, there is more truth behind these benevolent bins. Reporters dug deep to discover the organization’s true intentions, what it means to be a “for-profit” organization, and that this company, in actuality, is part of a bigger organization that has been considered very controversial.
The Chicago Tribune reported in 2004 and 2011 the importance of not confusing these green donation bins. They discovered that all bins labeled “USAgain, Gaia, Planet Aid, IICD, and Humana”, are linked to a Danish organization, referred to as “Tvind.” Financial records revealed that “Gaia,” (the central organization in Chicago), was spending a small amount if its money on environmental projects.
Soon after this was public, the man behind the curtain was exposed, and since then his organization has never been the same.
Amdi Petersen is the head of Tvind. He was taken into custody in Los Angeles and then handed over to Denmark to answer to charges for misappropriation of funds, embezzlement and tax evasion charges.
Peterson was found innocent, but fled in 2006 before anything could be connected to the government. This has not by any means silenced the press, the community, or the public.
Soon after, The American Institute of Philanthropy gave an “F grade” to Gaia and Planet Aid for “lack of transparency”, false spending on services in the program and spending too much on things like fundraising.
Now, most of us may have certain charities we enthusiastically support, but one may want to investigate charities a little more thoroughly before signing a check, donating used clothes, or sealing that envelope.
The Better Business Bureau also had something to say about Tvind and their programs. Apparently, Gaia never met 8 of 20 charity standards, including that money was spent on “clothing resale” and was categorized as a charitable sum and not a fundraising expense. Furthermore, if the clothing they collect is tallied as “fundraising,” only 1 percent of its income is put towards “program service activities.”
Niles West has always been a very eco-friendly environment. “In 2006 I began recycling with a few people and by 2007, it became a club. When we recycle paper, a company gives us money, and we use that money properly. It’s important for everybody to recycle. It’s one earth and there’s not going to be another one. The more people know about it, and recycle properly, the sooner we can fix it,” said Tatyana Gulak, Go Green Sponsor.
Sources and citizens believe this is a form of deception, and our communities should be aware of what is being placed on public property. Although this has no direct effect on the students of Niles West, it is necessary for teachers and students to become aware of every part of the school’s campus; especially if something as simple as a donation bin becomes a globally controversial issue. As students, we may not have the power to decide what gets promoted on the property, but we have the natural born right to choose which organizations to donate to, and which companies are worthy of our time, energy, and integrity.