Goodwill cuts down on waste while fostering economic growth
Goodwill, the country’s leading workforce development nonprofit, is once again lending a hand toward the world’s largest environmental movement, Earth Day.
The theme of this year’s Earth Day – Sunday, April 22 – is to end plastic pollution by employing the principles of conscious consumerism: reduce, refuse and reuse/recycle.
“Goodwill is your best bet for reusing things you no longer need or want,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO, Goodwill Industries International. “On Earth Day, and every day throughout the year, Goodwill’s local donation centers stand ready to receive your clothes, toys, furniture, electronics and other items. By donating to Goodwill, you know those items will be reused by someone else, rather than having them clog up our nation’s landfills.”
In the spirit of Earth Day, Goodwill offers these tips on how you can protect our planet by reusing and recycling:
- Use Goodwill’s redesigned Goodwill Mobile App to find locations where you can donate goods and shop for great bargains. The app is available through the App Store and Google Play.
- The one-time use — and disposal — of plastic kitchen items is a leading cause of plastic pollution. Rather than use plastic or disposable dishes, glasses and silverware, purchase casual sets for picnics, camping, tailgates and other uses at your local Goodwill retail location.
- Think of Goodwill when it comes time to upgrade and replace your consumer electronics items. Many Goodwill donation centers accept used computers, radios, television sets, and other electronics that are easily reconditioned and sold in Goodwill’s retail locations, thus keeping them out of landfills.
In addition, many local Goodwill organizations are finding innovative ways to reuse and recycle old items. For example:
- Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit (MI) runs GreenWorks, which offers industrial recycling services to socially conscious municipalities, utilities, automotive suppliers and others.
- Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia (Maple Shade, NJ) operates Goodwill Home Medical Equipment, which collects, sanitizes, refurbishes and sells durable medical equipment and medical supplies.
- Goodwill Industries of Northern New England (Portland, ME) collaborates with other local organizations on Project Upcycle Runway Event, during which fashion designers use clothing from Goodwill to create gala-worthy outfits, culminating in a runway fashion show.
“As always, when you donate to Goodwill, know that you are helping the environment by reducing waste,” said Gibbons. “And you’re also helping others in your community by creating jobs and training services through the sale of your donated items.”
