Your donations help someone find a job,
strengthen our communities and preserve our planet.
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is saying goodbye
to single-use plastic bags! 👋
This groundbreaking initiative underscores Goodwill's longstanding commitment to the sustainability, safety, and beauty of our planet. By eliminating single-use plastic bags, which often end up in landfills or as litter, Goodwill aims to significantly reduce waste, prevent litter, beautify communities, and safeguard wildlife.
"We're thrilled to take this crucial step towards a greener future not only in Arkansas but for our planet," said GIA President and CEO Brian Marsh. "Our customers have always been at the heart of our mission, and now they'll play an even more vital role in our sustainability efforts. By bringing reusable bags, they become true partners in our journey to protect the environment."
To support this transition, Goodwill will offer branded reusable bags for purchase at checkout for a nominal fee. These durable bags not only serve as eco-friendly alternatives but also as a symbol of customers' commitment to environmental stewardship.
Goodwill encourages customers to start bringing their own reusable bags before the September 3 implementation date. This proactive approach will help smooth the transition and maximize the initiative's environmental benefits from day one.
Click here to listen to our President and CEO Brian Marsh on KAUF talk our initiative to eliminate single-use plastic bags in retail stores across Arkansas.
38,278,596
Pounds of Product
Kept Out of Landfills
9,686,559
Pounds of Textiles
Recycled
1,720,540
Pounds of Books
Recycled
GOODWILL'S RECYCLING MODEL FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Step 1 | Recovery
We actively promote donating as a form of recycling, giving Arkansans an easy, environmentally friendly, recycling option instead of landfilling their unwanted items. In the last year, we have expanded our recovery process to include home pick up options, which provides recycling service to groups who might not have access to transportation.
Step 2 | Reuse
The resale of donations gives unwanted items a second life. Sales of these affordable products directly benefit local communities and the environment by reducing material consumption. This step has been a key component to our mission.
Step 3 | Recycle
When reuse is no longer an option, we recycle. We are continually exploring ways to further expand our recycling options to include new categories not previously processed such as fabrication of discarded plastics.
Step 4 | Reinvest
The revenue generated through our reuse & recycling program is reinvested directly into the local communities that partner with us. This added 4th step sets us apart from what others in our industry are doing in recycling. We have expanded our reinvestment step in the past two years with the objective of greater impact on Arkansas communities.
Pounds of Shoes Recycled
715,419
Pounds of Metal Recycled
494,280
Pounds of Cardboard Recycled
268,794
Recycled and Sustainability
Goodwill’s founder Reverend Edgar J. Helms once said, “Goodwill saves the waste in men and things.”
Most people aren’t aware of the fact that Goodwill was founded on sustainability principles. Starting in the late 1890s, Reverend Helms began finding salvageable materials to provide to individuals and families in need. In 1902, when Goodwill Industries was officially born, the focus was still on salvaging materials, but Reverend Helms learned that those he was serving wanted their own sustainable means of making a living.
He began repairing and then reselling the goods collected. In turn, this meant less waste in landfills as well as taking care of
the community, creating jobs, and generating profits redirected to the mission.
In FY23, GIA deepened its community recycling involvement by participating in Little Rock Recycle Days and with the City
of Fayetteville. Goodwill offers our partners E-waste recycling options and is becoming a thought leader in the materials
stewardship realm.
