How Goodwill Helps You Love Our Planet

Did you know that April is Earth Month? As one of the original supporters of the ” Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” approach to sustainability, Goodwill celebrates the Earth all year long! You can too, because when you shop at a Goodwill thrift store or make a donation, you’re supporting a greener way of life. Here’s how:

Reduce

Shopping at Goodwill reduces the number of new products we’re manufacturing. That’s a huge deal, because the creation of new textiles has a big impact on our planet. The making of new clothing accounts for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions each year, and that number continues to rise. Thanks to the cheap garments produced by the fast fashion industry, the apparel industry’s global emissions are predicted to rise 50% by 2030.

At Goodwill, you can find higher-quality clothing that will last, for less! Thrifting at a Goodwill store not only saves you money, but it also eliminates the need for so many new garments, and cuts down on manufacturing practices that are costly to our planet.

Reuse

Thrifting at Goodwill is the ultimate example of reusing items that might otherwise end up in the landfill. If you find you no longer need an item, you can ensure it finds new life with someone else who might need it. Whether it’s clothing, small appliances, dishes, or other household items, people throw away more than 2 billion tons of waste each year, and in many cases, the tossed items had years of life ahead of them. Donate your household goods and clothing to Goodwill, and keep them out of the landfill!

Recycle

Every item that’s donated to Ohio Valley Goodwill is sorted and prepped for sale in one of our many retail stores in the Cincinnati community, but items that cannot be sold are recycled whenever possible. In fact, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is responsible for recycling more than 48 million pounds of donated items each year! These are items that might otherwise have been thrown away, and while resale might not be in the cards, recycling is the next best thing.

Your Act of Kindness is No Small Matter!

Your kindness shows when you support Ohio Valley Goodwill. The simple act of donating items you no longer need or shopping at a Goodwill thrift store makes a huge difference for our planet AND our neighbors!

Through Goodwill’s job skills training services, we make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment. This work leads to more independent and fulfilled lives for those we serve, and contributes to a $63.5 million impact to the local economy each year.

Find your nearest Ohio Valley Goodwill thrift store or donation center today. We’re grateful for your support!