Retold Recycling is a California-based subscription service that specializes in recycling unwanted clothes and textiles. This service transforms all types of clothing into usable items and redistributes them to thrift stores, donation centers, recyclers, resellers, and upcyclers.
By utilizing Retold’s services, customers can prevent their clothes from ending up in landfills, significantly reducing their environmental impact. This recycling service is accessible to everyone in America.
Customers can purchase empty bags through one-time orders or subscriptions. Each bag comes with a prepaid label that identifies it for the recycling team. After filling the empty retail bags with unused clothing, customers simply attach the prepaid label and place the bags outside their homes, in mail rooms, or with doormen. Retold’s service team will then collect the bags for recycling.
In addition to clothing, Retold also recycles specific types of shoes. The pricing structure includes three empty bags for $41.50, quarterly subscription bags for $24.75, and an annual subscription for $94. Subscribers also receive rewards on select shopping sites, including Vitaminaswim, Podandparcel, alloys, and more.
| Company Name | Retold Recycling | |
| Founder | Amelia Trumble and Alan Yeoh | |
| Founded | Sep 2018 | |
| Product | A subscription service for recycling textiles | |
| Asked For | $300K for 15% equity | |
| Final Deal | $300K for 25% equity | |
| Shark |  Mark Cuban | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S14 E14 | |
| Air Date | Feb 17, 2023 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | California, United States | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $675K *estimated | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Retold Recycling?
The Retold Recycling service was founded in September 2018 in California by Amelia Trumble and Noelle Sadler Delory. In 2019, Alan Yeoh joined the business. However, Noelle left in August 2022 to become the Chief Marketing Officer at thredUP.
Amelia Trumble
Amelia is the co-founder and CEO of Retold Recycling. After studying marketing at RMIT University, she worked as a marketing manager for various companies, including Fairfax Digital and The Estée Lauder Companies. In 2021, after successfully running the business, she became a Growth Advisor at Render Better.
Alan Yeoh
Alan Yeoh is another co-founder of Retold Recycling. He earned his Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School and has held various positions at companies such as The Vitamin Shoppe, Uber, and Airbnb. In September 2020, he joined Walmart as VP and Head of CRM & Lifecycle.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Retold Recycling?
Amelia and Alan entered Shark Tank seeking $300,000 for 15% equity in their recycling business. They explained how clothing contributes to landfills and presented their service as a sustainable solution.
The business was launched in July 2020 with an initial investment of $12,000. By 2021, sales had increased to $175,000, with a gross profit margin of 43%. They projected $500,000 in sales by the end of 2022. Notably, shipping costs accounted for 80% of their revenue, and 20% of their customers were based in California.
Kevin O’Leary remarked, “I’ll have been recycled before I ever get that back,” indicating he was out. Emma Grede also deemed the business non-investable, and Lori Greiner followed suit, stating she was out as well. Robert Herjavec noted, “It’s not a business; it’s a mission,” and opted out too.
Mark Cuban offered $300,000 for 25% equity, stating that this offer was non-negotiable. Alan requested a moment to discuss with Amelia, prompting disbelief from Robert and Kevin, who were surprised by their hesitation.
Amelia then asked Mark if he would consider 22% equity, but Mark firmly declined. Ultimately, Amelia and Alan accepted Mark’s original offer.
Finalized: Mark Cuban invested $300k in Retold Recycling for 25% equity.
What Happened To ReTold Recycling After Shark Tank?
After the Shark Tank episode aired, the company posted a video on its official Instagram account featuring Amelia fulfilling multiple orders. It’s safe to say that the business received thousands of orders following their appearance.
Having started with a B2C model, they are now expanding into B2B recycling solutions and are also offering branded bags.
Amelia and Alan, the co-founders of this recycling business, delivered an impressive pitch on Shark Tank, attracting attention from the sharks. While all but Mark Cuban declined to invest, a significant negotiation took place between him and the co-founders, resulting in a deal for 25% equity.
We will continue to follow Amelia Trumble and Alan Yeoh, along with their company’s developments, for further updates.
What Is The Net Worth of Retold Recycling?
Retold Recycling is currently valued at $1.2 million. The recycling facilities market size in the United States is estimated at $10.2 billion, and the industry continues to grow each year. Annually, the U.S. generates approximately 11.3 million tons of textile waste, presenting a significant challenge.
Annual Revenue by Years
Note: This report is based on our research and data so far. In this, we are only estimating the annual revenue.
| Years | Annual Revenue |
| 2023 | TBD |
| 2022 | $500k *estimated |
| 2021 | $175k *estimated |
Funding Reports to Date!
| Years | Funding Amount | Investor |
| Nov 2019 | $250K (Seed Round) | Mark Cuban |
The company employs between 2 and 10 people, according to LinkedIn, and its headquarters is located in California.
Yes, Retold Recycling is still in business as of July 2023.
