Photography courtesy of Goodwill Dallas.
As spring cleaning season begins, Goodwill Dallas launches initiatives to promote environmentally friendly shopping practices for Earth Month.
This year, the nonprofit organization expands its efforts to raise awareness about sustainability and fast fashion’s impact on the planet. Starting on Earth Day, nine Goodwill locations in North Texas will showcase displays and signage to highlight the environmental benefits of thrift shopping. Over 1,000 pounds of clothing will be featured, demonstrating the positive impact of choosing secondhand items.
“What a lot of people don’t realize is how fashion can be so costly to our environment,” said Lauren Holloway, vice president of development and communications at Goodwill Dallas. “It can take more than 700 gallons of water just to make one single cotton T-shirt. When people shop Goodwill, they really get a triple return on investment, helping the planet, people and performance.”
In a world of fast fashion, thrifting plays a crucial role in preventing items from ending up in landfills. Each year, Goodwill diverts over 26 million pounds of goods from going to waste by recycling items, including over 200,000 pounds of computer equipment.
Edgar Helms, who founded the nonprofit organization in 1902 once said, ‘Goodwill saves the waste in people and things.’
“We’re helping people with barriers to employment also saving things from landfills and finding a purpose for them,” Holloway said.
Shoppers can participate in the sustainability conversation by donating items to Goodwill Dallas neighborhood stores at Forest Lane, Greenville Avenue and Mockingbird Lane.
