Earth Day is a yearly opportunity to celebrate the beauty and abundance we receive from our planet. It is a day to reflect on how we can be good stewards of God’s creation. As President of Goodwill Industries Middle Georgia and the CSRA, one of 150 community based autonomous, locally governed 501c3 Goodwill organizations, I’m proud to say stewardship for the earth is part of our mission and what we do every day. As an organization committed to creating job opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families in our community, we believe it’s our responsibility to promote sustainable practices that protect the environment for future generations.

Did you know that Goodwill is one of the greenest organizations on the planet? 

Goodwill has been green since our founding over 120 years ago, and we are proud of our commitment to preserving the environment. Goodwill stores divert billions of pounds of usable goods from landfills each year. 

Every item you donate or purchase at a Goodwill store is one less item thrown away. 

When you donate or shop at Goodwill, you set a whole series of earth-friendly activities in motion. 

It’s instant recycling. When cleaning out your closet and donating those items to Goodwill, you are helping protect the planet. The items you choose to donate are not waste. Take your jeans, for example. Did you know it takes almost 1800 gallons of water to produce one new pair of jeans? By donating instead of discarding those jeans, you’re not only reducing the number of items thrown in landfills, but you’re also helping Goodwill provide job training and employment services to people in our community.

This Earth Day and every day, let’s commit to being a part of something bigger than ourselves.

In addition to donating, you can promote sustainability and reduce waste in our communities in other ways. Here are a few ideas:

1) Shop at Goodwill 

When you shop at Goodwill, you’re not only getting great deals on quality second-hand items, but you’re also helping to reduce waste. By promoting the reuse of goods, Goodwill helps keep items out of landfills and conserves resources. Plus, you’ll support our mission of providing job training and employment services to people in your community.

2) Organize a Donation Drive

A great way to increase your impact is to encourage others to reduce, reuse and repurpose too! Consider coordinating a donation drive at your school, church, or neighborhood to collect clothing and household goods. Once collected, you can drop off items at one of over 20 customer-friendly donation centers throughout our 35-county area. By bringing awareness to your community, you can help divert even more items from landfills and positively impact the environment. Find more information at GoodwillWorks.org.

3) Volunteer at Your Local Goodwill

Finally, volunteer at your local Goodwill to take your involvement to the next level. There are many ways to get involved, from sorting donations to working in our thrift stores to helping with fundraising events. Check out our Volunteer Opportunities website to learn how to be involved in your hometown. By volunteering, you’ll not only be making a difference in our community, but you’ll also be joining a team of like-minded individuals who are committed to creating positive change. 

Let’s commit to caring for the planet we call home this Earth Day and every day.

By making conscious choices in our daily lives, we can ensure an abundant future for all. Whether you donate your gently used items, shop at Goodwill stores, organize a donation drive, or volunteer, you’ll be making a positive impact on the environment and helping to create a brighter future for all of us.

In the words of Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This Earth Day, let us honor God’s creation by working towards a more sustainable and just world for all.