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This April, we take time to celebrate Earth Month, reaffirming the importance of caring for our planet and demonstrating important ways we can protect it. Evergreen Goodwill has been at the forefront of sustainable practices for the past 100 years, being good stewards of the donated items we receive and using them to power community development.

One of the cornerstones of our mission is advocating for secondhand shopping and donating as powerful tools in reducing individual carbon footprints and mitigating waste. The statistics speak volumes: the fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, accounting for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater – more than the aviation and shipping industries combined. Similarly, e-waste contributes extensively to environmental pollution, releasing toxic substances into the soil and water systems.

Last year alone, Evergreen Goodwill diverted a staggering 83 million pounds of materials from local landfills through responsible recycling practices. And our partnership with the E-Cycle Washington program allows us to play a significant role in e-waste management, with Evergreen Goodwill now collecting 38% of all e-waste in the entire state of Washington.

During Earth Month and beyond, we remain committed to sustainability and individual empowerment, one donation at a time. As we continue to build a brighter future, join us on the journey towards sustainability by following the tips below that will help you mitigate your environmental impact.

• Slow down your fast fashion

Avoid limited-use synthetic and plastic-based fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex as they often take decades or hundreds of years to decompose. Opt instead for durable and natural materials like wool, linen, silk and cotton.

• Recycling remains key

When choosing products, it’s always better to opt for those in glass, metal, or paper packaging, all of which are more likely to be recycled locally. Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, conserves natural resources, and limits greenhouse gases (GHG) by reducing the need to extract new raw materials.

• Avoid single-use

Worldwide, we produce 300 million tons of plastic each year, half of which is for single-use items, and 91 percent of all plastic isn’t recycled at all. Always try to avoid one-and-done products in favor of those you can continue using like reusable shopping bags, rechargeable batteries, and bamboo utensils.

• Bag your polyesters

Washing clothes made from synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon can release as many as 700,000 plastic fibers per wash. Use a washing bag to catch these micro plastic fibers that would typically go down the drain and end up in our waterways.

• Slow down phone purchases

The manufacture of one new smartphone, including mining, assembly, and shipping, eats up as much energy as a decade’s worth of typical phone use. Keep your current phone for three to four years, and when it truly is time for a new one, make sure to properly recycle your device.

• Compost food waste

Food waste that ends up in landfills emits methane, which contributes more to global warming than CO₂. Tossing leftovers in a compost bin instead eliminates this methane output and the energy needed for pickup and disposal. Bonus: if you’re a gardener, adding compost to your soil will add nutrients, increase moisture retention, and reduce watering needs.

• Bike to work

The transportation sector is the single leading source of GHG emissions in the world. Consider biking to work at least one day each week, and you’ll eliminate these emissions for the week by at least 20 percent.

• Public transit = green

Similarly, instead of driving to work each day, try taking public transportation (or even carpooling) at least one day each week. You’ll help reduce the number of cars on the road and shrink the carbon footprint of your commute.