Our Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is built into Goodwill Northern New England’s mission, turning donations into opportunities for people, communities, and the planet.
Every item donated helps extend the life of usable goods, reduce waste in local landfills, and support a circular economy rooted in reuse. Through responsible recycling partnerships and environmentally mindful operations, we work to minimize environmental impact while funding job training, workforce development, and community impact across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Together, these efforts show how sustainability at Goodwill creates measurable impact, for the environment and for the people we serve. See how your donation makes a difference – find a drop off location near you.
Every Donation Sets Impact In Motion
Because of donors across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, donated goods move through a cycle of reuse, recycling, and reinvestment, helping divert 65+ million potential pounds of goods from landfills in 2025. The state totals below reflect this collective impact:
17 stores, 1 outlet, 37+ million lbs of donations in 2025
10 stores, 1 outlet, 22+ million lbs of donations in 2025
2 stores, 6+ million lbs of donations in 2025
Other Sustainability Practices
While Goodwill is a leader in reuse, we know there is more we can do. Across our organization, we have made intentional investments to lower waste, improve efficiency, and operate responsibly for the long term.
Reducing Single-Use Plastic Bags
In 2017, we voluntarily eliminated single-use plastic bags from our stores. Today, we offer recyclable paper bags and encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable totes, helping reduce plastic waste at the point of purchase.
Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation
To reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency, we upgraded our fleet of tractor trailers in 2021. By modernizing our vehicles and optimizing routes, we reduced both total annual mileage and transportation-related carbon emissions by 23%, lowering our overall environmental footprint.
Durable, Sustainable Donation Systems
In 2022, we invested $1.5 million in more durable, reusable materials to store and transport donations. This system stacks efficiently, saves space, and reduces waste, supporting both sustainability and operational efficiency. You can see this investment in action during a tour of our warehouse.
Expanding the Use of Solar Power
Since 2023, 14 retail locations, along with our Gorham office and warehouse, have participated in community solar, nearly 50% of our locations now partially powered by solar energy. Combined with other efficiency improvements, this has helped reduce electricity usage by 30% since 2016. Lower energy costs also mean more resources can be reinvested into our mission and local communities. We hope to find more solar farms to partner with and expand this practice to more locations.
