Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a human service agency and network of not-for-profit businesses whose mission is to help people overcome barriers to employment and enjoy the dignity and benefits of work and improved quality of life. Their mission is environmentally focused, as they have become recognized as a leader for re-use and recycling.

Goodwill receives nearly 150,000 pounds of donations every day. The saleable donations are sold in stores, or recycled after a few weeks if they have not been purchased, while the non-saleable donations are recycled immediately. Through these responsible practices over the past five years, Goodwill has been able to keep an estimated 460,000 cubic yards of materials out of landfills – that’s the same as nearly 3,000 tractor-trailer truckloads!

Goodwill SWPA goes green in other ways as well. Through the use of their Class-G certification, their stores and facilities are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Goodwill SWPA also participates in Dell Reconnect to donate computers and electronic equipment, which helps divert e-waste from landfills and supports sustainable jobs. Finally, their Fayette Recycling Center has processed more than 100 pounds of recyclable materials since 1997 including aluminum cans, tin cans, glass, plastic, cardboard, newspaper and, high-grade office paper!

Next time you drop off your donations at Goodwill, recognize that you are making a positive environmental impact on the world. To learn more about their sustainability initiatives, click here.