On April 22, people around the world will celebrate Earth Day by volunteering with organizations and initiatives that help create positive impacts on the earth. At Goodwill®, we encourage you to think beyond this single day of making a difference and try to create a positive environmental impact each and every day.
Save the Planet One Item at a Time
In 2009, donors helped Goodwill agencies divert more than two billion pounds of usable items from landfills. In 2011, you can help divert even more items from the landfills near you by donating your gently used clothing and household goods. Items you might not think of can also be donated or recycled. Consider the following list of common household items you can recycle:
- Computers/laptops. Do you have an old computer or laptop in your house? Don’t throw it away. Goodwill partners with Dell on the Dell Reconnect program, a residential computer recycling program that offers you an easy, convenient and responsible way to recycle your used computer equipment. You can drop off any brand of used equipment at participating Goodwill donation centers in your area. It’s free, and you’ll get a receipt for tax purposes.
- Batteries. Batteries contain dangerous metals that can contaminate our soil and water. However, there are organizations, like Call2Recycle, that are making it easier than ever for you to help keep those toxic AAs out of our area landfills.
- Cell phones. We all have old cell phones sitting in our drawers, left behind after we upgraded to the newest model. Powered by batteries, cell phones are just as harmful when tossed in the trash. Organizations such as, Recycle My Cell Phone and United States Environmental Protection Program’s eCycle Cell Phones program, are making it convenient for individuals to keep those cell phones from cluttering houses and polluting the planet.
- Toner and ink cartridges. It can take anywhere from 450 to 1000 years for your toner or ink cartridge to break down in a landfill. There are tons of business and organization, such as InkRecycle.org and Staples, that are collecting cartridges.
Want to help?
Keep items from ending up in a landfill by organizing a donation drive in your community. The Donate Movement®, powered by Goodwill, challenges all of us to donate conscientiously and responsibly. It provides a step-by-step guide to creating a successful donation drive in your community. Help bring awareness to your community by finding out how you can volunteer or donate at your local Goodwill.
