FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- As Earth Week approaches and communities prepare to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, Goodwill Southwest Florida is encouraging residents to take simple, meaningful steps that support both environmental sustainability and local workforce development. When community members donate to Goodwill®, they help keep quality goods out of the waste stream while also supporting people with disabilities and other barriers to employment through life skills training, workforce development, and career advancement services.

Sustainability has long been central to Goodwill's mission. Guided by a commitment to the triple bottom line: people, planet, and prosperity, Goodwill Southwest Florida supports thousands of individuals each year while also leading regional efforts in reuse and waste reduction. Together with donors and shoppers, the organization keeps more than 35 million pounds of reusable goods in circulation annually, strengthening the local circular economy and reducing environmental impact.

More on TelAve News

• Architect of Neurodiversity Will Lead the First U.S. Team of Autistic Children to the "Genius Cup" in Hiroshima, Japan, in 2027
• Deborah E. Jones Introduces Emotional Sovereignty, a Powerful New Book on Emotional Mastery, Resilience, and Intentional Living
• New Research Identifies "The Busy Effect": 89% of Americans Want a Laid-Back Vacation — Only 15% Actually Achieve It
• Alchemy 43 Appoints Shane Smith as CEO to Drive Operational Performance and Scalable Growth
• Best Spiritual Healing, Meditation & Retreats in Sedona — Rise Meditation Helps You Find and Book Transformational Experiences

Ways to Celebrate Earth Week in Southwest Florida

Join or host a community clean‑up. Many local groups organize clean‑ups during Earth Week. Participating, or coordinating one yourself, is a great way to connect with neighbors and beautify parks, streets, and waterways.

Practice the three R's: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

• Reduce: Avoid unnecessary purchases by choosing secondhand or sharing infrequently used items with friends and family.
• Reuse: Repurpose items, pass them along to someone who can use them, or donate them. For a list of accepted items to donate, or to find your nearest Goodwill donation location, visit goodwillswfl.org.
• Recycle: Many Goodwill locations partner with local organizations and salvage companies to recycle materials from items that cannot be resold.

Use refillable drink containers. Reusable water bottles and coffee mugs reduce reliance on single‑use plastics and paper products. Goodwill stores offer lots of options.

More on TelAve News

• $16 Billion Market by 2034 in Underwater Drones Presents Huge Opportunity for AI-Powered Autonomous Vehicle Serving Defense & Commercial Customers
• Appliance EMT Named Among Jacksonville's Top 3 Appliance Repair Companies by ThreeBestRated®
• Geekstorians Nominated For Best History Podcast In The 30th Annual Webby Awards
• Quality Water Treatment Unveils SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener for City Water, Setting a New Standard in Residential Water Treatment
• UK Financial Ltd Chooses PUMP.FUN App to Launch Maya Meme's Minor-League Meme Coins and Announces Lifetime Airdrop Program

Bring reusable shopping bags. Cutting down on single‑use plastic bags helps reduce litter and environmental harm.

Shop sustainably. Purchasing secondhand items at Goodwill keeps goods in circulation longer and supports job creation in the community.

A Message from Goodwill Southwest Florida

"Choosing Goodwill as your go‑to place for donating items and shopping secondhand is a simple way to make a big impact," states Goodwill SWFL President and CEO John Nadeau. "Every item you keep in circulation helps protect our environment, and the revenue from donated goods sold in Goodwill stores across Southwest Florida directly supports programs and training that break barriers, uplift lives, and create lasting opportunities. Thank you for making a difference."

https://goodwillswfl.org/