Goodwill Industries International is expanding its role in North American recycling industry by investing in textile and film plastic recycling ‘test kitchens’ across the country.
At its first sustainability summit, held on August 15 in Washington, DC, executives and partners of the organization discussed its efforts to divert more materials from landfills. Known primarily for its thrift stores, Goodwill has increasingly focused on recycling and reusing materials it can’t sell, such as certain textiles, glass, and film plastic.
Emphasising on Goodwill national reach, Steve Preston, CEO, emphasises, the organisation’slocal presence make it well-positioned to lead in recycling. Currently, Goodwill operates through 154 autonomous regional organisations, enabling it to forge local partnerships with recyclers and respond to unique community needs.
For instance,Washionton-based Goodwill has partnered with Trex, a Virginia-based company that recycles plastic bags into decking material. This partnership is a part of a broader initiative where the Association of Plastic Recyclers envisions Goodwill becoming a major aggregator of film plastic, especially in states like Oregon, which recently passed extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation.
Goodwill has also launched a $2 million traceability study, funded by the Walmart Foundation, to improve transparency and increase diversion of secondhand textiles. This follows a pilot program that found 60 per cent of donated textiles were recyclable. Some Goodwill locations are also experimenting with new uses for unsold textiles, such as producing biochar or creating a branded line of socks.
On the policy front, Goodwill is involved in shaping EPR legislation, particularly in California, where a potential textile EPR bill is under consideration. As Goodwill scales its recycling initiatives, it aims to build infrastructure through partnerships with emerging recycling companies, positioning itself as a crucial provider of feedstock for the growing recycling industry.
