Assemblymember Lunsford Secures $200,000 State Grant to Bolster Goodwill of the Finger Lakes’ Textile Recycling Efforts
Funding will go toward the purchase of a textile shredding machine
to divert unsold donated textiles from the waste stream.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Today, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes announced $200,000 in state funding secured by Assemblymember Jen Lunsford for the purchase of a textile shredding system, marking another important step forward in Goodwill’s commitment to reuse, sustainability and innovation. The funding — awarded through the New York State Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability and Technology (CREST) grant program — will cover the full cost of the new equipment as Goodwill strengthens its circular business model.
Once procured and in place, the machine will allow Goodwill to process post-consumer textile donations that cannot be resold through its retail or e-commerce channels by mechanically converting those materials into recyclable feedstock. The system is expected to recover more value from donated materials, reduce waste, and support pilot efforts with emerging and established partners to expand textile recycling capacity over time, while advancing New York’s broader sustainability goals.
New York State Assemblymember Jen Lunsford said, “I’m proud to have secured funding for a textile shredder at Goodwill's Monroe County Circulation Center. This equipment will allow Goodwill to become a centralized recycler for our region, streamlining sustainable practices for our residents who want to do the right thing with the clothes, linens and other textiles they no longer need. There are so many barriers to recycling textiles and I'm grateful that we have a partner like Goodwill who is taking the charge on innovative solutions to our ever-growing waste problem and efforts in sustainability. By expanding their capacity to recycle textiles, we’re keeping materials out of landfills and creating a more sustainable future for our communities.”
Jennifer Lake, president and CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, said, “Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has long been committed to extending the life of donated goods, keeping nearly 29 million pounds of items in circulation last year alone. This essential funding allows us to build on that work in a meaningful way by expanding our ability to process textiles, participate in pilot activities, recover more value from community donations and keep more materials out of the waste stream. We’re deeply grateful to Assemblymember Lunsford for championing this investment and helping us advance a more circular future that benefits both our community and the environment.”
This support reflects Goodwill of the Finger Lakes’ ongoing commitment to elevating people, community and planet by addressing one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States and helping ensure more materials are responsibly repurposed rather than discarded. For more information about Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, visit goodwillfingerlakes.org.
About Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes positively impacts the lives of more than 171,000 people each year through its mission: Elevating people, community and planet for a good today and a better tomorrow. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, the organization’s unique social enterprise model takes an innovative approach to sustainability, workforce development and job creation opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment while also generating revenue to support its many community impact programs and services. Goodwill’s community impact programs include Goodwill Vision Enterprises (formerly ABVI, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired), 211/LIFE LINE, workforce development, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and Goodwill Learning Academy, with a long and successful history of providing essential services to the Finger Lakes region. The organization’s more than 750 individuals use their passion and expertise to find innovative solutions to address pressing social needs. Learn more at goodwillfingerlakes.org.