Earth Day became a day of national recognition 43 years ago. And since then, the environmental movement has become an increasingly complex world of climate change, carbon offsets and emissions guidelines. While those big-picture issues can often seem far removed from everyday life, there is a simple way to help – by donating gently used clothing, household and electronic items to Goodwill Industries of Central Florida.
For 59 years, Goodwill has been an entrepreneurial leader, environmental pioneer and social innovator of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” practice in Central Florida. Each year, the nonprofit diverts more than 1.5 tons of clothing and household goods, and 1.5 tons of hazardous electronic waste from landfills. Goodwill then resells those items to fund job training programs for people with disabilities or other barriers to employment.
“With a rising concern for environmental issues, it’s natural that people are seeking ways to help – but often time, or lack of resources, can stop the process before it even begins. At Goodwill, we try to make it simple and convenient for people to make a difference in a concrete way,” said Bill Oakley, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. “By donating unwanted goods to our stores, consumers are not only reducing waste – but those donations fund critical job training programs as well.”
For every 24 pounds of donations received, Goodwill is able to help one person find gainful employment through free community programs offered at its Job Connection Centers. Since the beginning of 2013, more than 8,778 people have used the nonprofits training programs – and of those, the nonprofit was able to help 2,042 find jobs.
In addition, some donations – like computers – can directly help create jobs. Goodwill and Dell’s free computer recycling initiative, Dell Reconnect, allows people to drop off used electronics (any brand, and in any condition) at their local Goodwill. This program has helped to create green jobs for people in need of work – from collecting and sorting jobs, to more skilled positions – as trained staff members determine if the electronics are reused, refurbished or responsibly recycled. Since the program began in 2012, Goodwill has hired 43 people specifically to handle the electronics program. This year, the nonprofit expects to hire nearly 50 more as the program expands.
“Through the Dell Reconnect program, we’ve diverted nearly 750,000 pounds of computer waste from landfills. And we hope this success will not only encourage consumers to dispose of their computer and electronic equipment responsibly, but will also motivate other companies to adopt electronic recycling measures,” added Oakley.
To calculate the social impact of donating to Goodwill, visit www.donate.goodwill.org. To learn more about Goodwill, or find the closest donation, retail or job center, please visit www.goodwillcfl.org.
