Page 13 - Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Annual Report

Embrace Collaboration:
E Karen Nozik | Sustainability Manager: The fashion industry
Sustainability

is a major contributor to environmental pollution, but thrifting
and reusing clothing offer a powerful antidote to our throwaway
culture. By keeping garments in use longer, we reduce the
demand for new production, embracing the circular economy.
Donating to and buying from retail thrift stores is like a river
that never stops flowing, giving new life to items that might
otherwise be discarded. As these possessions are passed along,
they are transformed—waste becomes value, much like how a
river revitalizes everything in its path. This continuous cycle of
reuse and renewal reflects the natural process of transformation, conserving resources
and nurturing both the environment and society as a whole. Goodwill transforms not
just clothing, but the fabric of our GFL communities—turning once cast-off items into
something cherished and enduring—for the benefit of both people and planet!