In addition to its efforts in helping individuals find sustainable work, Goodwill Industries International, Inc. aims to recycle and reuse goods that normally end up in landfills. The organization estimates it kept 3.3 billion pounds of items out of landfills in 2020 through local Goodwill retailers and centers reselling and recycling donated goods. One such center, Goodwill of KYOWVA located in Huntington, West Virginia, contributes to this effort by recycling more than just the typical items.
What Is Goodwill of KYOWVA?
Goodwill of KYOWVA serves several communities, from Huntington, Milton, and Lavalette in West Virginia to Ashland, Louisa, and Grayson in Kentucky. It’s the largest recycling center in the city of Huntington and employs 250 people from the local area, many of whom live with disabilities. Together, the team organizes goods that have arrived at the center into several categories.
What Does Goodwill of KYOWVA Recycle?
Besides the typical recyclable fare, like plastic bottles, Goodwill of KYOWVA reuses a wide range of items in many different categories. Everything from textiles to cell phones gets the recycling treatment at the center. Even vinyl records get a second life.
How Does Goodwill of KYOWVA Recycle So Much?
The center collaborates and partners with local companies and organizations to increase its intake of materials. For instance, Goodwill of KYOWVA works with 30 schools across the state to drive recycling for paper and cardboard. A partnership with Dell allows the location to accept electronics recyclables as well.
Thanks to these initiatives, the hard work of the employees, and the high level of organization, Goodwill of KYOWVA recycled more than 2.5 million pounds of goods in 2021. The efforts of the local Goodwill location led the way toward sustainability and zero waste for the organization as a whole.
