Goodwill was founded in Boston, MA in 1902 by Rev. Edgar J. Helms. It was Rev Helms’ vision to end poverty through the power of work and so he began collecting donated goods from his local community with the intent to sell those donated goods for profit, and then use the money to pay the workers who helped refurbish them.
Materials donated to Goodwill follow the Collect, Sell, Salvage model.
Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona (GCNA) is working to identify what else we can do with donated goods between “sell” and “salvage” which is why we are dedicated to identifying responsible end markets for every item donated in an effort to divert materials from landfills.
We’re proud to say that Goodwill equals reuse and here at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, we are launching exciting new initiatives to help the Grand Canyon State recycle, repurpose, and reimagine what is possible when we make protecting the planet a priority….
And it all starts with your donations!
Currently, an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste – equivalent to 85% of all textiles – end up in landfills annually in the United States. Meanwhile, over 80% of plastics used in the United States end up in landfills yearly.
That’s why GCNA is focusing on plastics and textiles to:
Together, we are committed to increasing the impact of tried-and-true methods of reducing waste in landfills while driving workforce, educational, and economic impact in our community.
The triple bottom line is an economic concept that expands a typical business model from focusing only on profits to include social and environmental impacts.
Environmental: We’re maximizing the value of existing products by reselling them in their current state, repurposing or remanufacturing them into new products, or responsibly recycling them.
Social: Goodwill’s mission services provide career development, education advancement, and housing programs that are helping Arizonans find the stability and security they need to flourish.
Economic: Revenue generated from donation resale powers our mission services. We’re creating local jobs and connecting them to sustainable solutions to support economic growth and sustainable employment in our own communities.
We know that being successful also means building community partnerships and learning from the successes of others. That’s why GCNA is forming partnerships that foster shared values and a shared vision so we can all work together towards a shared mission.
Arizona State University (ASU) – In February 2024, we celebrated the launch of a brand new, state-of-the-art circular plastics microfactory with ASU’s Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service that will turn old plastics into new products. This could be something like a new skateboard deck, outdoor furniture, and more. The possibilities are limitless. This 10,000-square-foot facility, located at our Retail Operations Center, uses our newly upgraded, advanced sorting processes to reclaim and repurpose thousands of pounds of plastics annually.
Did you know that ONE garbage truck worth of plastic is added to our oceans per minute every year? That’s 10 million tons per year!
We can’t do this without you. The more goods that are donated to Goodwill, the better understanding we have of what is in our waste streams and once we understand what we’re dealing with, we can innovate and find new solutions to revitalize the reduce, reuse, recycle model!
Help support the planet and empower your local community – find a store or donation center near you and donate your gently used goods today!
Amazing things are always happening at Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona! Whether you are looking for a daily special or want to participate in one of our job training events, we have something for you.
*Daily deals are valid at select Metro Phoenix, Prescott, and Yuma locations. Please check with your neighborhood Goodwill for details. Dollar Day pricing adjustment goes into effect on Jan. 5, 2023.
Discount valid on used merchandise only. Not valid on food or drink, new goods, seasonal or holiday items. Not valid at Goodwill Clearance Center.