Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina is celebrating Earth Day with a big commitment to the environment: beginning on Monday, April 22, plastic shopping bags will no longer be available in its 51 retail and outlet stores.
Instead, shoppers will be encouraged to bring their own reusable bags. For shoppers’ convenience, reusable tote bags in five styles will be available for purchase in stores for $1.29.
To kick off its new plastic-free policy, Goodwill will offer a special treat to shoppers. On Earth Day (Monday, April 22), the first 25 shoppers at each Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina store will receive a free reusable tote bag with purchase.
The new policy is part of Goodwill’s commitment to environmental sustainability, said Barbara Maida-Stolle, president and CEO at Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina. “With this change, Goodwill joins other retailers who’ve realized how much plastic shopping bags contribute to landfills and waterway pollution,” Maida-Stolle said. “We’re doing our part to reduce that waste by removing millions of plastic bags from circulation.”
“Going plastic-free will also lessen the operational costs of providing millions of plastic shopping bags annually,” she continued. “This translates into greater resources for Goodwill’s mission, which is providing employment and training services to thousands of people in western North Carolina each year.”
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About Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina
Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, Inc., serves the community by providing employment and training programs that help people find jobs and reach financial stability. Programs are largely funded through the sale of donated items in Goodwill’s retail stores. For more information, visit www.goodwillnwnc.org.
Quick Facts:
- In 2023, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina stores used more than 17 million plastic shopping bags:
- Small: 11,876,000
- Large: 5,901,000
- TOTAL: 17,777,000
- Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina operates 48 retail stores and three outlet stores in its 31-county territory.
- The last day that plastic bags will be provided to shoppers is Sunday, April 21.
- On Monday, April 22, the first 25 shoppers at each Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina store can get a free reusable tote bag with purchase.