FORT MYERS, Fla. - s4story -- 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.

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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.

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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/