She was once your best friend, but now you've grown apart.

Each year we invest in new toys for the children in our lives. And each year, old toys fall out of favor, sentenced to a life in the closet or worse, abandoned in the trash heap. Many of us are aware of dolls as a collectible commodity, but many more dolls have a less glamorous fate. Here are a few facts about this growing problem:

Mattel Incorporated, over the last 35 years, has used more than 100 million yards of fabric to create the billions of Barbie ensembles that they sell around the world, making Mattel one of the largest manufacturer of women's garments in America.

Discarded garments account for 4% of the trash dumped in our landfills each year, a higher figure than corrugated cardboard or magazines. Today it is estimated that 90% of all American girls aged 3 to 10 own 8 Barbie dolls. There is presently a Barbie doll (and family members) population of some 800 million.

If all Barbie dolls manufactured since 1959 were laid head to high-heeled foot, they would circle the Earth 6 times.

In 1993 toy manufacturers used over 921 million pounds of plastic. Substantially less than 1% of all plastic toys are recycled each year. Mattel reported in 1994 that Barbie dolls accounted for 52% of their total sales, representing in excess of $1 billion. How much of that was spent on recovering and recycling?

The Rag Street Recycling Program, founded by Elizabeth M. Mason, is designed to raise awareness and alleviate some of this terrible burden on our ecosystem. The program was initially designed to recover, recycle and redistribute Barbie dolls, her friends, accessories and garments. In the past year, the program has been expanded to include other toys, such as GI Joe and other plastic figure-dolls. Ultimately, these items are redistributed to non-profit group homes for children, such as Maryvale in Rosmead, California.

A number of individuals and organizations have responded to this ingenious solution. Girl Scout troops have used our program as a way for girls to earn service badges. In addition, it is a great way to teach children about the importance of saving and sharing resources. To participate, send your old Barbie dolls to:

Elizabeth Mason
c/o The Rag Street Recycling Program
PO Box 69A116
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Note: If you include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your package, I will send you an update on your doll's new home and a certificate of honorary membership to The Rag Street Recycling Program.

Barbie® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Mattel Corporation. This is not an official publication of Mattel Corporation, and is not sponsored or endorsed in any way by the makers of Barbie doll.

A portion of the proceeds of all of The Paper Bag Princess selected special Vintage Designer auctions on eBay, Inc. will go to benefiting The United Friends ot The Children (UFC), a Los Angeles based nonprofit organization. UFC and its program, Bridges To Independence which fills a critical void in Los Angeles county’s foster care system-the largest system in the nation.

Each year approximately 1,000 youths are "aged out" of foster care at age 18 These young adults are at a pivotal stage in their life. Often these young people lack the resources, family ties and relationships to become self-sufficient. UFC/Bridges program assists emanicpated young adults in attaning independence and self-reliance, whether they are headed for higher education or aspire to meaningful employment.

Unfortunately, approximately 40 to 50 % of emancipated foster youths become homeless or end up on the street, within a short period of time of leaving foster care. UFC/Bridges exists so that these young people will have access to a transitional support system including transitional housing. After leaving foster care, they are provided with a no-cost assistance in areas such as health concerns, education, legal issues and alternative affordable housing. In addition, a career center assists in job training and provides exposure to a range of job and career opportunities.

UFC/Bridges To Independence is a 501C3 nonprofit organization. If you or your organization would like to make a contribution or seek any further information please contact them directly. at 310 410-2565 or write them at:

5701 West Slauson Avenue, Suite 215
Culver City CA 90230
310.338-3646

E-Mail: unfcbridges@aol.com

Elizabeth M. Mason is very grateful to all of those silent angels who assisted her as a youth in the foster care system.