Most clothing and other donated items are successfully sold in Goodwill stores across Alberta, and internationally. With the help of other methods of selling and recycling, very little, if any, unsold clothing and other goods are thrown away.
To help keep clothing, household items and other used goods out of the landfill, Goodwill partners with local organizations to find alternative solutions. For example, Goodwill Alberta has a partnership with the University of Alberta that allows them to give clothing and household items left behind at residences a second chance.
As a result of being able to resell, repurpose or reuse nearly all items that are donated, Goodwill has an 86% diversion rate from local landfills and helps communities across the world minimize their environmental footprint. Goodwill’s sustainability practices divert over 19 million kilograms from landfills annually!
Goodwill is an eco-friendly organization that undertakes numerous environmental initiatives.
First and foremost, Goodwill’s core business model helps to keep millions of kilograms of waste from reaching landfills each year. To do so, Goodwill accepts donations of used clothing and other household items which it sells to raise funds to support its mission of helping individuals with disabilities in Alberta, and across the world.
In addition to encouraging people to recycle their used items through donation, Goodwill focuses on reducing energy consumption from their operations. For example, Goodwill thrift stores use energy-efficient lighting and appliances and Goodwill Industries offsets energy use with renewable energy certificates. As a result of eco-friendly initiatives, Goodwills across the globe have won eco awards for environmental leadership.
Yes, bras can be donated to Goodwill. As long as the bras are clean and new or gently used they will be sold in Goodwill’s retail stores. Keep in mind, Goodwill cannot accept wet or dirty clothing. So, before bringing items in for donation please be sure that they are laundered and dry.
If the bras are damaged, they may still be accepted at the donation location. Bras that cannot be sold in-store, are sent to textile recyclers who convert the material into new products. This way, nothing goes to waste unless absolutely necessary.
Looking for a Goodwill Alberta donation location? Find the nearest Goodwill using our drop-off location locator.
Goodwill accepts donated socks that are gently used or brand new. All clothing that is donated to Goodwill, should be clean and laundered before it’s brought in. Socks that are too damaged to be sold at Goodwill Alberta’s thrift store locations will be sent to outside organizations that recycle textiles into new products or materials for other uses.
To donate socks or other clothing items to Goodwill Alberta, visit one of our donation centers. Donation locations can be found throughout Alberta, including in Edmonton and surrounding cities. The profits from donations that are resold in our retails stores benefit local communities and help individuals in Alberta with disabilities.
Underwear that is new or gently used can be donated to Goodwill in Alberta. The underwear should be clean, dry and in good condition when they are donated.
Depending on the condition of the undergarments, they may be sold or recycled. For example, if the underwear is damaged or not suitable for resale, it may be sent to a textile recycler. The recycler will turn the material into wiping rags, upholstery stuffing or fibre recycling.
Even if you have articles of clothing, including underwear, that are ripped or damaged, consider bringing them to a local Goodwill donation center. By donating these items, they can be put to good use instead of being added to the landfill. If you’re in or near Calgary, the City of Calgary Throw ‘n’ Go is another location where donations can be dropped off. All items donated at this location are organized by Goodwill Alberta.
Unfortunately, mattresses cannot be donated to Goodwill. Although Goodwill would love to accept all donations, some items cannot be accepted for health and safety reasons. Bedroom furniture that cannot be accepted includes mattresses, pillows, bed frames, bunk beds, hide-a-beds and waterbeds.
Undoubtedly, there are many items in these categories that are perfectly good for reuse. However, in some cases, these items may pose a health and safety risk to our staff or new owners. Therefore, to be safe, we do not accept them.
Goodwill Alberta asks that anyone with a used bed or bed frame find an alternative destination for it.
Christmas decorations and other holiday items can be donated to Goodwill in Alberta. This includes household holiday decor, Christmas lights and Christmas trees. However, please note that Christmas trees will only be accepted if they are in their original box or bag. All items should be in good condition when they are brought to a donation center.
Goodwill Alberta greatly appreciates all the donations received. When you donate to Goodwill you can rest assured your donation is going to a good cause. 89.2% of all profit goes back into the local community, helping people with disabilities find meaningful work.
Goodwill Industries of Alberta is dedicated to keeping items out of the landfill. Therefore, all unsold items at Goodwill are shipped to other locations, stores or businesses to be sold, repurposed or upcycled.
For example, any donated item that is not sold at a Goodwill thrift shop is first taken to a Goodwill outlet. If the item isn't sold at the outlet at a discounted price, it is given a second life through the Goodwill Sustainability Action Plan.
Programs within Goodwill to reduce impact on the environment include the recycling repurposing and upcycling consist of:
If the item cannot be put through this program, it is sent to a textile recycler or another company that can transform it into new materials for alternative uses.
When Goodwill can’t sell donated clothes, they use various alternative options to keep the clothes from reaching the landfill.
Luckily, clothing is easy to recycle or upcycle. If Goodwill can’t sell clothing donations in-store, on its online thrift store or at a Goodwill outlet, the clothes are often sold to a textile recycler or other salvage vendor.
These recyclers use the unsold clothing in various ways. For example, it may be cut up and used for different purposes or processed and recycled into a fibre filling for use in furniture or insulation. With the help of these alternative methods, Goodwill is able to keep millions of pounds of usable goods from reaching the landfill each year.
Most clothing and other donated items are successfully sold in Goodwill stores across Alberta, and internationally. With the help of other methods of selling and recycling, very little, if any, unsold clothing and other goods are thrown away.
To help keep clothing, household items and other used goods out of the landfill, Goodwill partners with local organizations to find alternative solutions. For example, Goodwill Alberta has a partnership with the University of Alberta that allows them to give clothing and household items left behind at residences a second chance.
As a result of being able to resell, repurpose or reuse nearly all items that are donated, Goodwill has an 86% diversion rate from local landfills and helps communities across the world minimize their environmental footprint. Goodwill’s sustainability practices divert over 19 million kilograms from landfills annually!
Want to learn more about Goodwill? Our website is the best place to explore more about Goodwill. You can also visit ar.goodwill.ab.ca to read our annual reports. As a non-profit organization since 1963, we are proud to showcase the GOOD we do in our province. If you have questions about the organization, please visit the CONTACT US page.
Donation hours: You can find the hours of operation of your preferred donation centre on our donation page.
If you would like to donate, the best way is to stop by while there is a donor attendant to assist you.
Furniture donations: To ensure your donation is treated with the care it deserves, we ask that furniture donations are dropped off at the Impact Centres in Calgary and Edmonton as they are the only locations that are capable of accepting furniture donations. We ask that all furniture donations be under 50 lbs.
Edmonton:
Calgary: