Goodwill Not Landfill Program Wins National Award
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CONTACT: James Harder 617-541-1218 [email protected]
Goodwill Wins National Award for ‘Goodwill Not Landfill’ Program Partnership with Boston University collects reusable items for stores
BOSTON (Feb. 10, 2011) — Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries received recognition this month for preserving the environment and strengthening communities through an innovative campaign designed to keep used goods out of landfills. The agency took home a NASPA Excellence Award for its “Goodwill Not Landfill,” initiative with Boston University, which diverted 35.24 tons of useable items from landfills during the university’s May 2010 end-of-the-year move-out period. The awards recognize the contributions of organizations who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration. Goodwill earned a Bronze Award in the “Housing, Residence Life, Campus Security, Contracted Services and Judicial” category. “Moving out has taken on a whole new meaning at Boston University,” said Terry Fitzpatrick, Goodwill’s vice president of retail enterprise. “By merely putting their unwanted clothes and household items in the Goodwill bin instead of throwing them away, students are making a social and environmental statement.” After a clothing collection drive with another organization the year before, Boston University began working with Goodwill in September 2009 to plan for an even bigger program at the end of the 2010 academic year. Residence Life implemented a six-week campus-wide daily pick-up schedule that accommodated clothing and household items such as small appliances, lamps, fans, bedding and small furniture. The initiative also placed donation bins in the residence halls and at the university campus center to educate students about the scope of items that can be donated and reused. -more-
The campaign was promoted through e-mail, social media and posters, minimizing the impact on the environment. Daily collection totals were also shared across campus. “Many reusable items are tossed out at the end of the year, including working lamps, usable carpets and good linens,” said Dennis Carlberg, sustainability director at Boston University. “The ‘Goodwill Not Landfill’ campaign was an opportunity to change that, and we were thrilled with the results. Students who participated helped the environment and the programs at Goodwill, which helped program participants lead better lives.” You can watch a video on the campaign at www.goodwillmass.org. ABOUT MORGAN MEMORIAL GOODWILL INDUSTRIES For more than a century, Goodwill has provided job training programs and partnered with the business community to provide meaningful work opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to self-sufficiency. In addition, Goodwill operates Boston Career Link, a one-stop career center, which offers universal access to a broad range of services for job seekers, individuals who are looking to advance or change careers, and employers seeking good job candidates. Goodwill also offers programs that foster academic achievement and career aspirations among urban youth. The Goodwill Stores in eastern and central Massachusetts provide jobs and on-the-job training opportunities, offer quality, low-cost goods to individuals and families looking for value and support other programs and services fulfilling Goodwill’s charitable mission. http://www.goodwillmass.org
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CONTACT: James Harder 617-541-1218 [email protected]
Goodwill Wins National Award for ‘Goodwill Not Landfill’ Program Partnership with Boston University collects reusable items for stores
BOSTON (Feb. 10, 2011) — Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries received recognition this month for preserving the environment and strengthening communities through an innovative campaign designed to keep used goods out of landfills. The agency took home a NASPA Excellence Award for its “Goodwill Not Landfill,” initiative with Boston University, which diverted 35.24 tons of useable items from landfills during the university’s May 2010 end-of-the-year move-out period. The awards recognize the contributions of organizations who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration. Goodwill earned a Bronze Award in the “Housing, Residence Life, Campus Security, Contracted Services and Judicial” category. “Moving out has taken on a whole new meaning at Boston University,” said Terry Fitzpatrick, Goodwill’s vice president of retail enterprise. “By merely putting their unwanted clothes and household items in the Goodwill bin instead of throwing them away, students are making a social and environmental statement.” After a clothing collection drive with another organization the year before, Boston University began working with Goodwill in September 2009 to plan for an even bigger program at the end of the 2010 academic year. Residence Life implemented a six-week campus-wide daily pick-up schedule that accommodated clothing and household items such as small appliances, lamps, fans, bedding and small furniture. The initiative also placed donation bins in the residence halls and at the university campus center to educate students about the scope of items that can be donated and reused. -more-
The campaign was promoted through e-mail, social media and posters, minimizing the impact on the environment. Daily collection totals were also shared across campus. “Many reusable items are tossed out at the end of the year, including working lamps, usable carpets and good linens,” said Dennis Carlberg, sustainability director at Boston University. “The ‘Goodwill Not Landfill’ campaign was an opportunity to change that, and we were thrilled with the results. Students who participated helped the environment and the programs at Goodwill, which helped program participants lead better lives.” You can watch a video on the campaign at www.goodwillmass.org. ABOUT MORGAN MEMORIAL GOODWILL INDUSTRIES For more than a century, Goodwill has provided job training programs and partnered with the business community to provide meaningful work opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to self-sufficiency. In addition, Goodwill operates Boston Career Link, a one-stop career center, which offers universal access to a broad range of services for job seekers, individuals who are looking to advance or change careers, and employers seeking good job candidates. Goodwill also offers programs that foster academic achievement and career aspirations among urban youth. The Goodwill Stores in eastern and central Massachusetts provide jobs and on-the-job training opportunities, offer quality, low-cost goods to individuals and families looking for value and support other programs and services fulfilling Goodwill’s charitable mission. http://www.goodwillmass.org
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