Good news for small businesses interested in sustainability! Goodwill Industries International (GII) has teamed up with Reju, a materials regeneration company, and WM to tackle textile waste across North America. Together, they’re rolling out a multi-year project to transform textile recycling through an efficient model that includes collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling.

After a Walmart Foundation-funded study, GII is ready to use insights to handle unsold textiles more effectively. This project aims to collect discarded textiles, sort them for resale, and, if they’re not wearable, send them to Reju for regeneration. Reju, backed by advanced technology, converts textile waste into Reju Polyester—a sustainable option with a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional polyester.

In 2023, less than 1% of the world’s 124 million tonnes of textiles were recycled, showing the urgency for better recycling systems. By recovering more textile materials, this partnership not only reduces waste but also creates job opportunities, supporting Goodwill’s mission of circularity and community-based services.

For small businesses, this collaboration highlights a growing trend toward sustainability in retail and an inspiring model of industry cooperation. Embracing sustainable practices like recycling can be a key part of staying competitive, building customer trust, and contributing to a greener economy.  Call Greene Recycling today to schedule your cardboard bale pickup route and get in now!