Goodwill Industries International Wins Maryland Environmental Leadership Award

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Maryland Department of the Environment has awarded Goodwill Industries International with a 2013 Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award. Goodwill^® was one of six award winners that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental sustainability and performance and leadership in the field. The other five award winners include Coca Cola Refreshments, La Prima Food Group, Life Technologies, Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Salisbury University.  

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Goodwill Industries International, located in Rockville, MD, recycles a number of items including mixed paper, aluminum and glass bottles, and plastic containers and bags. The organization recently reduced its use of paper by implementing an electronic system on its printers that requires users to be more intentional about print jobs. Each year, the organization holds clothing donation drives to benefit Goodwill of Greater Washington's job training and career programs, which help thousands of people in the DC area.

Goodwill Industries International's commitment to environmental sustainability extends beyond environmental education for employees. Goodwill's Bring Your Kids to Work Day featured special activities to teach children the positive impact of environmentally responsible actions and to highlight Goodwill's 111-year tradition of reducing, repurposing and reusing items people no longer need.

"Since 1902, Goodwill has promoted the reuse of items, and our efforts have diverted more than three billion pounds of items from landfills," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Goodwill Industries International's commitment to environmental sustainability draws from this proud tradition of caring for our planet, and helping people find jobs and care for their families."

"This year's honorees are true leaders in environmental sustainability in Maryland," said Laura Armstrong, Maryland Green Registry Coordinator of the Maryland Department of the Environment. "We applaud Goodwill Industries International's eco-friendly practices and their desire to serve the community through environmentally responsible practices."

Goodwill continuously strives to improve its sustainability efforts by tracking and measuring its energy usage via the Energy Star Portfolio Manager each month, and by looking for ways to decrease overall energy consumption. Employees spearhead the organization's environmental efforts and are deeply involved in all aspects of its earth-friendly initiatives.

For more information, visit http://www.goodwill.org/about-us/environmental-impact/

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 2012, 6.7 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 @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

ABOUT THE MARYLAND GREEN REGISTRY:
The Maryland Green Registry is a free and voluntary program launched by Governor Martin O'Malley as part of the Smart, Green and Growing Initiative to promote and recognize sustainable practices by organizations throughout the state. The program offers tips and resources to help organizations set and meet their own goals on the path to sustainability. 

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International