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Town and Goodwill Create Double Win for North Haven

In mid-May, the Town of North Haven and Easter Seals Goodwill (Goodwill) launched a direct mail program targeted at 8,000 households. The initiative entitled “Don’t Discard. Donate!” is designed to achieve two goals. The first goal, and the reason that the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is funding the program, is to divert textiles from the state’s regional waste incinerator. The second goal is to increase mission-critical textile donations and awareness of North Haven area Goodwill retail stores.

The program is timely. Connecticut residents are facing a crisis of rising trash disposal costs due to shrinking waste disposal capacity. At the same time, 85 percent of all textiles purchased by residents each year will be sent for incineration. DEEP’s involvement underscores the importance of educating residents about recycling of valuable materials like textiles and reducing the environmental and financial costs of waste disposal.

DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said, “The State of Connecticut is running out of incineration capacity, which will drive up waste disposal costs for all residents. We chose to support the Town of North Haven on their ‘Don’t Discard. Donate!’ program because it uses a proven waste diversion solution to raise awareness about simple actions that residents can take to help mitigate Connecticut’s growing waste disposal challenges, while also benefiting Connecticut residents in need.”

Goodwill sees significant benefit in participating in the program, too.

Goodwill President Richard Borer said, “Quality textiles donations, which Goodwill can resell in its stores, provide essential resources that enable Goodwill to achieve its mission in the North Haven area.”

First Selectman Michael J. Freda stated, “The Town of North Haven is proud to team up with Goodwill and DEEP to implement the ‘Don’t Discard. Donate!’ program. Our participation reduces North Haven’s environmental impact, saves money on waste disposal. and builds awareness about the crucial assistance that Goodwill provides to some of North Haven’s most vulnerable residents.”

As part of the program, each North Haven household will receive a clear packet in the mail that includes a card and blue Easter Seals Goodwill branded bag made from recycled plastic. The card provides information about the program, the types of textiles that can be donated to Goodwill and directions to Goodwill’s donation center located at 432 Washington Avenue. The card explains that Goodwill accepts clean, dry and odorless materials; textiles include any cloth or good produced by weaving, knitting or felting, like clothes, linens and other items. Additionally, seniors and others who want to donate but do not have access to a car can arrange for Goodwill to come pick up their donations by calling 203-248-2872.

Questions regarding the Town of North Haven and Goodwill textiles recycling program can

be directed to the Department of Public Works at (203) 239-5321, extension 400.