Community Corner
Goodwill changes donation policy to exclude older TVs
New state requirements raise costs for television disposal for Goodwill; only donations of newer flat-screen TVs to be accepted.
Goodwill Manasota has announced a change in its donation acceptance policy for televisions: only newer flat panel televisions will now be accepted. Changes in state regulations have made it increasingly difficult for Goodwill to dispose of televisions, and those changes have finally made it impossible for Goodwill to accept older televisions.
”Goodwill Manasota’s mission is ‘changing lives through the power of work’ and the revenue generated through the donations of goods is critical to funding that mission,” said Bob Rosinsky, president & CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “Under the new state regulations, we are now paying between $3 and $15 to dispose of each television that is not working or does not sell in one of our retail centers. These costs reduce our capacity to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities.”
Goodwill is grateful for the thousands of friends who donate items. Once sold, they create opportunities for individuals in the community – including veterans and military families, single mothers and people with disabilities – to find a job and build skills. The organization is committed to maximizing revenue for programs, and sometimes must adjust donation policies to adapt to new legislation and changing economic realities.
The following options and resources are available for no-cost television disposal:
Manatee County: residents may drop off televisions at the Manatee County Landfill (3333 Lena Road)
Sarasota County: residents may drop off televisions at the Chemical Collection Center (8750 Bee Ridge Road), the Solid Waste Landfill Facility (4000 Knights Trail Road in Nokomis) and the Chemical Collection Center (250 S. Jackson Road in Venice)
DeSoto County: residents may drop off TVs at the DeSoto County Landfill (3268 SW Dishong Avenue in Arcadia)
Hardee County: residents may drop off TVs at Solid Waste Management (685 Airport Road in Wauchula)
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2013, we served more than 16,000 people, placed 537 people in jobs and assisted 329 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 37 million pounds out of the landfill. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
