Goodwill Green
Helping Our Community and Our Planet Thrive.
Sustainability
“meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
United Nations Brundtland Commission, 1987
At Goodwill, sustainability has always played an important part in what we do. Without question, our best-known form of recycling is the resale of donated merchandise, items that otherwise would have gone straight to the landfill. Beyond that, we’re continually introducing new ways to help our planet and the communities we serve.
Gary Outlet Store
The outlet store in Gary, Indiana takes in shipments of unsold merchandise from all of our Goodwill retail stores. Once there, items are sorted and placed in the storefront for resale. Damaged or undesirable goods are separated, bundled and prepared for recycling companies. Articles of clothing, shoes, wire, electronics and household goods are among the countless items made ready for our recycling partners.
Every donation we keep in circulation reduces waste, conserves natural resources, and gives items a second life. Our goal is to honor the donor’s intent by ensuring items are used to their fullest potential rather than being thrown away. At Goodwill, every attempt is made to keep unsold items from going straight to the landfill.
In 2025 alone, Goodwill of Michiana accepted more than 75 million donations, sold more than 52 million pounds of merchandise through our retail stores and recycled nearly 4 million pounds through our Gary Outlet Store.
CraftED
Goodwill CraftED creates high-quality products by repurposing donated goods. The program is led by experienced staff and instructs with decades of industry experience. Each item supports sustainability, job training, and second chances, all built right here in our community. Repurposed CraftED products include:
Good Glass
Good Glass is colorful, tumbled “sea glass” made from unsold donations to Goodwill, saving over a ton of glass each month from landfills.
The glass pieces are tumbled with recycled granite powder, sourced from donated granite products, combining two waste streams to create something beautifully useful for crafters.
Granite
CraftED granite products are made from donated stone, repurposing excess material to create charcuterie boards, wine stoppers, plaques, fire pits, and more. With over a million pounds of donated granite available, we offer both ready-made items and custom creations, including awards, memorials, and outdoor pathways.
Reusable Shopping Bags
Another Goodwill sustainability initiative is reusable shopping bags and in-store recycling bins. Each Goodwill location throughout the area offers reusable, earth-friendly shopping bags for its customers. Stores also have recycling bins to help ensure plastic bags are properly disposed of and ultimately recycled.
