ReTold Recycling, a California-based startup, made quite an impact on the popular television show Shark Tank during its fourteenth season. Co-founders Amelia Trumble and Alan Yeoh presented their innovative recycling service to the Sharks with the goal of revolutionizing the way discarded clothing and textiles are managed. Their service aims to transform unused clothes and textiles into practical items, significantly reducing the amount of fabrics ending up in landfills and fostering a positive environmental impact.
Appearing in the 14th episode of the season, Trumble and Yeoh persuaded the show’s investors with their forward-thinking approach to textile recycling. They highlighted the alarming fact that Americans throw away almost 12 million tons of textiles each year, emphasizing the importance of finding alternative solutions to address this issue. As a result, ReTold Recycling received a substantial investment offer from Mark Cuban, ultimately securing $300,000 for a 25% equity in their company.
By offering a subscription-based service, ReTold Recycling made fabric recycling easily accessible to everyone. Their appearance on Shark Tank brought greater attention to their initiative, garnering both a positive response and increasing awareness about the importance of textile recycling. The company has continued to grow steadily since their time on the show, showing promising potential for a sustainable future in the recycling industry.
Retold Recycling: Getting to Know the Brand
Retold Recycling is a California-based recycling service founded by Amelia Trumble and Alan Yeoh. The brand focuses on diverting textile waste from landfills by offering a convenient and sustainable mail-in service for recycling unwanted clothing and household textiles. Since its inception in 2020, Retold Recycling has successfully diverted more than 100,000 pounds of textile waste from landfills.
Amelia Trumble, one of the co-founders, has a background in fashion technology and sustainability. She graduated from RMIT University and has experience working with renowned companies like MAC Cosmetics. Alan Yeoh, the other co-founder, has expertise in business and technology, which makes him the right fit for this eco-friendly entrepreneurial venture.
The process is simple – Retold Recycling sends biodegradable bags to consumers’ homes, which can be filled with discarded clothes that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. Once the bag is full, it is collected and sorted by the Retold Recycling team. Depending on the condition of the textiles, they are then upcycled, recycled, or sent to thrift stores and charities for further use.
The duo appeared on the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” where they pitched their business to a panel of investors. They initially asked for $300,000 in exchange for 15% equity in their company. After some negotiation, they accepted an offer from investor Mark Cuban, who invested $300,000 for a 25% equity stake in Retold Recycling.
Apart from helping the environment, Retold Recycling also aims to raise awareness about textile waste and promote sustainable consumer habits. The brand’s friendly approach encourages people to recycle and upcycle their clothing instead of discarding them, potentially contributing to a greener future for our planet. With passionate founders, innovative solutions, and support from the “Shark Tank” community, Retold Recycling continues to grow and make a positive impact on the world of textile recycling.
Retold Recycling on Shark Tank
Retold Recycling made their way onto the popular reality show Shark Tank, where co-founders Amelia Trumble and Alan Yeoh appeared before the panel of investors, affectionately known as the Sharks. The company’s mission is to make textile recycling more accessible to everyone, aiming to reduce the staggering 12 million tons of textiles that Americans throw away each year.
During their appearance on the show, Amelia and Alan presented their business concept and sought an investment to help expand Retold Recycling. Their initial offer was $300,000 in exchange for 15% equity in the company, valuing their business at $4.5 million. The Sharks, including Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec, listened intently as they pitched their sustainable venture.
Mark Cuban, a well-known advocate for environmental causes, showed great interest in their pitch, ultimately leading him to make a counteroffer. Cuban offered $300,000 for a 25% equity stake in the company, reducing the valuation to $1.2 million. After some thoughtful consideration, Amelia and Alan accepted this deal, with the hope that partnering with Mark Cuban would accelerate the growth of Retold Recycling and further its mission of diverting textiles from landfills.
Since partnering with Cuban, Retold Recycling has continued to progress in the industry, making strides toward achieving its lofty goals. The venture has garnered significant attention, leading to an increased net worth of $1.2 million. The company’s success on Shark Tank and its ongoing partnership with Mark Cuban have made it a prominent player in the textile recycling industry, taking a valuable step toward a more sustainable future.
Retold Recycling’s Mission and Impact on the Environment
Retold Recycling is on a mission to make textile recycling as accessible as possible. Their convenient mail-in service allows individuals to recycle any unwanted clothing and household textiles, effectively diverting waste from landfill. Since its inception in 2020, they have successfully diverted more than 100,000 pounds of textile waste from landfills.
Textile waste has a significant environmental impact, with landfills being the leading contributors to soil and groundwater contamination. Polluting compounds in stored garbage, such as heavy metals like lead and mercury, can find their way into the surrounding land and water systems. Moreover, 12 million tons of textile waste is generated annually by Americans, comprising a mix of synthetic and natural fibers.
Retold Recycling aims to tackle this issue by collecting unused clothes and fabric waste from consumers and channeling it to recyclers, thus adhering to a #nolandfill philosophy. Their eco-friendly mailer bags are made from cornstarch and are designed for easy shipping of textiles to recyclers, promoting a circular fiber system.
By offering a fraction of their revenue to cover shipping costs, Retold Recycling encourages participation in their textile recycling program. This innovative approach fosters a community of subscribers who are more aware of the tons of textiles thrown away daily and the importance of taking responsibility for waste disposal, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of the fashion and textile industries.
The Recycling Process: From Donation to Reuse
Retold Recycling is a California-based subscription service that aims to give new life to unwanted clothes and textiles. Through its simple but effective recycling process, it helps reduce waste and promote a circular economy in the fashion industry.
Customers begin by filling biodegradable recycling bags, provided by Retold Recycling, with their discarded clothes. Once filled, these bags are collected from consumers’ homes, a convenient feature for busy individuals who want to participate in eco-friendly practices. The collected clothes are then sorted and assessed for their potential use.
Based on their condition, the clothes are distributed to various partners such as thrift stores, donation centers, reuse partners, and upcyclers. Thrift stores and donation centers receive gently used clothing, which is either sold at affordable prices or donated to people in need.
Upcyclers transform the textiles into new, innovative products, while downcyclers break down the materials to create lower-quality products. Both of these processes ensure that once-loved garments can still contribute to the circular economy.
Collaborating with organizations like RMIT University and circular fiber producers, Retold Recycling is committed to exploring innovative ways to recycle clothing. By working with these partners, they ensure that even the most worn-out clothes can find new life in the form of various products – from insulation to carpet padding.
Through their efforts, Retold Recycling is making a significant impact by diverting countless textiles from landfills and promoting sustainable practices within the fashion industry. The recycling process that the company has developed enables clothing to have a second chance, contributing to a more eco-friendly future.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Retold Recycling has made significant strides in building strong partnerships and collaborations with a variety of brands and retail partners.
One notable collaboration is with Jenni Kayne, a prominent high-quality fashion brand. By working together, the fashion industry’s waste problem is being addressed more effectively. Both companies are dedicated to sustainability and sharing similar values, making this partnership a powerful and consistent force for change.
In addition to fashion brands, Retold Recycling has formed a strategic alliance with Verizon, one of the top communication technology companies in the United States. The partnership aims to explore innovative ways to incorporate recycling initiatives into the telecom industry, creating a connection between the two industries, which ultimately helps to expand the reach of Retold’s recycling efforts.
Another important partnership is with Vitamin A Swim, a swimwear brand focusing on sustainable materials and ethical production. Retold Recycling and Vitamin A Swim have collaborated on a mission to recycle and repurpose unwanted swimwear items into newer, more eco-friendly products. Both brands strive to create less waste and encourage a circular economy within the fashion world.
The co-founders of Retold Recycling, Alan Yeoh and Amelia Trumble, take pride in establishing such collaborations, seeing them as crucial for meeting larger environmental goals. They believe that by partnering with big names in different industries, their message is amplified, thus creating a more profound impact on reducing waste.
Mac Cosmetics is another brand that has shown interest in partnering with Retold Recycling. The collaboration stands to benefit both companies, as it helps Mac Cosmetics adopt more sustainable practices in its packaging, and Retold Recycling extends its recycling efforts to the cosmetics industry. This alignment allows for a larger conversation around the importance of waste reduction and reusing materials across industries.
Innovative materials like biodegradable products are also gaining interest from retail partners, allowing for new possibilities in the recycling and repurposing processes. These types of collaborations help Retold Recycling remain at the forefront of sustainable technology while also contributing to the creation of a more environmentally friendly consumer market.
Retold Recycling’s partnerships and collaborations are essential for the growth and impact of their recycling initiatives, and these alliances contribute to a better planet and a cleaner future for all.
Customer Experience and Community
Retold Recycling is not only providing a sustainable solution to textile waste, but also fostering a sense of community among its customers. By offering a subscription-based model, users can engage in the company’s mission to reduce landfill waste while also enjoying a rewarding experience.
As subscribers to Retold Recycling’s service, customers are eligible for rewards on select shopping sites, including Vitaminaswim, Podandparcel, Alloys, and more. This rewarding aspect encourages a loyal customer base and helps to promote a sustainable shopping experience among its community of subscribers.
In addition to the rewards program, Retold Recycling actively engages with their community through marketing efforts on social media platforms such as Instagram. This builds a sense of camaraderie among users, allowing them to connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for recycling and environmental responsibility.
The Retold Recycling community is not just about helping the environment, but also about fostering connections between subscribers who share the same goals. Through a combination of rewards, engaging content on social media, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, the company creates a positive and friendly experience for all who participate in their initiative.
Latest News and Updates
ReTold Recycling, a California-based subscription service that specializes in recycling unwanted clothes and textiles, made a splash when they appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank. The company’s mission is to make all types of clothing usable, turning them into products for thrift stores, donation centers, recyclers, resellers, and upcyclers.
In February 2023, the founders of Retold Recycling, Alan Yeoh and Amelia Trumble, pitched their innovative business model to the Sharks. They received a $300,000 investment offer from Mark Cuban, in exchange for a 25% stake in the company.
The company’s primary goal is to minimize the environmental impact of clothing waste. Landfills are frequent sources of soil and groundwater contamination due to potentially harmful compounds in stored garbage, which can negatively affect the surrounding ecosystem. Clothes, composed of both synthetic and natural fibers, make up a significant portion of this waste.
Since their Shark Tank appearance, the company has been making strides in raising awareness about the importance of textile recycling. The convenient recycling solution offered by Retold Recycling is not only eco-friendly but also benefits consumers by providing a sustainable avenue for unwanted clothes.
With the support from Mark Cuban and the exposure from the TV appearance, Retold Recycling is well on its way to making a positive impact on the environment and promoting mindful consumption in California and beyond.
Looking Towards the Future
Retold Recycling, a growing sustainable textile recycling start-up, is paving the way for slow fashion and environmentally-friendly alternatives in the clothing industry. After securing a $300,000 investment from Mark Cuban on Shark Tank in exchange for a 25% stake, the company has been making strides in the American market.
Their mail-in recycling service offers customers an easy way to responsibly dispose of their used garments, sending bags directly to their homes for filling with old clothes. This innovative solution helps prevent unwanted textiles from ending up in landfills.
As Retold Recycling continues to expand, they are focusing on raising awareness for slow fashion – a movement that encourages consumers to be more mindful of their clothing purchases. By doing so, they hope to not only reduce textile waste but also promote alternatives to fast fashion, which has a significant negative impact on the environment.
To further their reach, Retold Recycling plans on exploring new markets and opportunities for collaborations. With a friendly and welcoming approach, they aim to create lasting partnerships that can help reshape the industry for a more sustainable future.
With diligent efforts and a strong vision, Retold Recycling is setting an example for emerging eco-conscious enterprises. The company’s progress, fueled by the investment and support from Mark Cuban, shows great potential for a greener and more sustainable future in the American clothing industry.
