AWB honors Tacoma Goodwill for environmental excellence

The Association of Washington Business (AWB) presented Tacoma Goodwill with an Environmental Excellence Award for its continuous efforts in environmental education during a presentation Oct. 20 at its 2005 Environmental Summit.

“Over the years, we’ve recognized businesses, large and small, who have gone beyond what is required by law to improve our environment,” AWB President Don Brunell said. “Each year it is encouraging for me to see different companies across our state doing good things to improve our state’s quality of life.”

Tacoma Goodwill operates in 15 counties around the state, and its community outreach has resulted in impressive statistics: it sold, instead of disposed, 28 million pounds of donated material in its stores, and recycled or salvaged 14 million additional pounds of material. AWB recognized Tacoma Goodwill in particular for its effort to promote a working recycling/reuse system for “E-waste.” According to AWB, Tacoma Goodwill’s initiative to combine environmental stewardship with the community service industry demonstrates the kind of leadership needed to respond with practical and convenient approaches to the growing challenge of E-waste in our communities.