Goodwill is oftentimes called the “original recycler.” More than 100 years ago, the idea of recycling clothing and houseware was what the social enterprise was built on.

Today is no different. Millions of pounds of goods are diverted from local landfills each year when community members choose to donate goods to Goodwill. Goodwill is committed to keeping usable items out of landfills by giving them multiple opportunities for a second life. Donations are first sorted and sold in our retail stores and through our online platforms, where shoppers can find quality items at affordable prices. Items that don’t sell are then sent to our outlet stores, where they’re offered at deeply discounted prices.

Finally, anything still remaining is processed through our Salvage for Good program, which helps ensure that even unsold or hard-to-recycle materials are responsibly reused or repurposed. Through this process, we maximize the life of every donation while minimizing waste in our community.