Goodwill® Calls On Consumers To Join America Recycles Day

Reduce Waste by Donating Household Goods and Recycling Electronics

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries International is proud to participate in America Recycles Day on November 15, the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. A nationwide initiative led by Keep America Beautiful, America Recycles Day celebrates and increases recycling efforts, and improves education about what can be recycled in particular communities. This year, millions of Americans will participate in locally organized recycling events around the country and pledge to reduce their personal waste.

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In particular, Goodwill encourages consumers to think about the full range of recycling programs available to them, which goes far beyond aluminum, paper and plastic goods. Goodwill accepts gently used clothing and household goods at its donation centers throughout the country, diverting more than two billion pounds of waste from landfills every year. Additionally, the Dell Reconnect program, a partnership between Goodwill and Dell, provides free drop-off locations for consumers who want to responsibly recycle any brand of unwanted or used computer equipment in any condition.

"America Recycles Day provides an important opportunity for people to assess their level of personal waste and consider ways to reduce it," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "As a pioneer of the 'reduce, reuse, repurpose' practice, Goodwill encourages everyone to reduce their own impact by donating used clothing and household goods, and recycling electronic waste."

For 110 years, Goodwill has been an environmental leader, turning the power of reused goods into job opportunities for people in need of work. In 2010, Goodwill launched the Donate Movement, a corporate social responsibility platform and public awareness movement that focuses on the positive impact donating has on the people and planet.

The Dell Reconnect partnership diverts used computer equipment from area landfills and provides consumer education on the importance of environmentally responsible computer disposal. Nearly 2,500 Goodwill stores and donation centers serve as collection sites for the program, reaching more than 64 million U.S. and Canadian households. Donated equipment is resold and devices in need of repair are either refurbished or broken down into parts to be recycled by Dell partners. More than 253 million pounds of equipment have been responsibly recycled through Goodwill since the partnership with Dell began in 2004.

Visit donate.goodwill.org to learn more about the Donate Movement and to calculate the human impact of your Goodwill donations. To find the Dell Reconnect drop-off center nearest you, visit dellreconnect.com. For more information about America Recycles Day, visit americarecyclesday.org.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America's top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2011, more than 4.2 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at locator.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl or find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

ABOUT AMERICA RECYCLES DAY
America Recycles Day^SM is a national program of Keep America Beautiful, and is the only nationally recognized day and community-driven awareness event dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. Since its inception in 1997, communities across the country have participated in America Recycles Day on November 15 to educate, promote environmental citizenship, and encourage action.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International