Goodwill Manasota Celebrates 104.4 Million Pounds Reused & Recycled in 2025
A new milestone in the “reduce, reuse, recycle” movement proves that local donations have a massive impact.
In a world where fast fashion, single-use plastics, and shorter-lived appliances are putting added pressure on our natural resources, the role of organizations dedicated to extending the life of goods has never been more vital. Right here in Sarasota and Bradenton, Goodwill Manasota is leading the charge.
In 2025, the nonprofit achieved an incredible milestone: 104.4 million pounds of goods were given a second life. Through a combination of retail operations and strategic partnerships with salvage and recycling companies, items like textiles, computers, furniture, books, glass, and metals were all kept in circulation.
The Powerful Cycle of Donate, Shop, Repeat
For over 100 years, Goodwill has been at the forefront of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” movement. Locally, that mission is powered by you. When community members donate gently used items, they fuel a cycle that does more than just clear out clutter—it creates opportunity.
Every donation dropped off at Goodwill Manasota helps to power more than three hours of job training and support services. This mission-integrated model directly assists team members—nearly 60 percent of whom face barriers to employment or have disabling conditions—to build valuable job skills.
“What makes this environmental milestone so special for Goodwill is not just that we are helping to protect the planet, we are also supporting our mission of changing lives through the power of work,” said Donn Githens, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “By donating, community members enable us to create job opportunities and help our neighbors build brighter futures.”
2025 Impact: Beyond the 100 Million Pound Mark
While the recycling and repurposing numbers are impressive, they represent just one piece of the puzzle. The revenue generated from those 104.4 million pounds directly funded life-changing programs last year:
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7,527 individuals served through Goodwill programs
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44,538 hours of education and training provided
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1,296 individuals placed in jobs
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478 veterans served through specialized programs
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More than $70,000 in emergency assistance provided to neighbors in need
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250,592 pounds of food collected for local food banks
Leading by Example
Githens doesn’t just talk about sustainability—he actively champions it at the state level. He was recently elected to a second term as Chair of the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating policymakers and business leaders on the benefits of recycling.
How You Can Close the Loop
According to EPA data, while 75 percent of the waste stream in the U.S. is recyclable, the actual rate of recycling hovers around only 32 percent. Goodwill Manasota makes it easy to do better.
Here is how you can participate in the “reduce, reuse, recycle” movement:
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REDUCE your clutter: Clear out items you no longer need and drop them off at a convenient Goodwill location.
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REUSE by shopping: Visit Goodwill retail stores to find affordable, unique items while keeping goods in circulation.
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RECYCLE responsibly: Bring items like electronics, textiles, and metals to Goodwill, where they will be processed responsibly if they can’t be sold.
Your donations transform community goods into opportunities. To find a donation center or retail store near you, visit experiencegoodwill.org/locations
