‘I’ll be going to the news soon’

A former Goodwill employee is speaking out about alleged wasteful practices at the nonprofit thrift retailer, claiming the company throws away usable donations instead of giving them to people in need.

what happened

A Reddit user shared his experience working at the retailer in the r/Goodwill subreddit, posting photos of overflowing donation centers and fire damage.

“I’ll be going to the news soon about all this,” the poster wrote.

The former employee alleges that blankets, linens, and unsalable clothing are disposed of at the main site rather than given to community members. The company bans cameras in certain areas to prevent employees from seeing the dumping, according to the former employee’s account.

The former employee also said they received a verbal warning after giving a used blanket to a homeless person during a winter storm — managers told them it violated company policy.

One commenter replied: “Kudos to you for speaking the truth out loud. Not many people can.”

Why is textile waste a concern?

Textile waste creates serious environmental problems. Americans throw away over 11 million tons of textiles each year, with most ending up in landfills, where they release a polluting gas called methane as they break down.

Throwing away blankets and functional clothing means extracting more resources to make replacements. Vulnerable members of the community lose access to basic needs such as heat in winter.

The alleged practice contradicts the circular economy model that thrift stores support. Reusing existing items keeps them out of landfills and reduces the demand for new production.

Is Goodwill doing anything about it?

Goodwill has not publicly responded to these allegations. The company states that items not suitable for retail sale are recycled or sold to textile recyclers.

Different Goodwill locations operate semi-independently within regional organizations, which means that policies may vary by area. Some Goodwill branches have donation programs for unsold items, partnering with shelters and community organizations.

The poster’s account suggests that this may be a localized problem rather than a company-wide policy. Without confirmation from Goodwill management or an independent audit, it is unclear how widespread these alleged practices may be.

What is being done about textile waste more widely?

Several organizations direct usable donations away from landfills. The National Council of Textile Organizations connects donation centers with recycling facilities that process fabric into insulation, cleaning cloths, and new textiles.

Some thrift stores have begun partnering with shelters and disaster relief organizations. These programs send unsold seasonal items where they are needed most.

You can help reduce tissue waste by researching local donation centers before putting items away. Call ahead to ask about their redistribution policies for unsold items.

Look for “free shops” or mutual aid networks in your community. These grassroots organizations donate clothes and household items without selling them first.

Buy second hand when possible. Each thrifted item is one less new product that needs to be manufactured.

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