2019 Waste Reduction Hero

In early September, we had the opportunity to present this year’s Waste Reduction Hero Award at the Edmonton in Bloom awards ceremony. This was a special opportunity for us as we awarded one of our long-time volunteers.

Charlotte started volunteering at the Reuse Centre in November 2011. For eight years, Charlotte has sorted through materials donated to the Reuse Centre with a smile on her face or a story of joy to share with fellow volunteers, staff and customers. Charlotte began her volunteer work at the Reuse Centre through a partnership with Goodwill Industries of Alberta and later graduated from their program. She continues to volunteer independently and remains committed to her role as a citizen supporting sustainability within our community.

Charlotte is a great leader and mentor to her fellow volunteers. She takes personal ownership of contributing to the mission of the Reuse Centre each shift as she arrives with items to donate, whether it be gift bags, beautiful stationery, old calendars or jigsaw puzzles. Charlotte and her fellow volunteers have sorted more than 2 tonnes of items since the start of 2019. 

Over the last 8 years, Charlotte has volunteered close to 3,500 hours. She has made many friends over the years and customers and staff greatly appreciate her presence and strong work ethic.

We are grateful to all of our volunteers and the work that they help us do here at the Reuse Centre and in the community.

Interested in volunteering at the Reuse Centre? Check out our website to view current opportunities.

Vanessa (staff) 

Goodwill Industries names the Reuse Centre Community Supporter of the Year!

On Wednesday, May 9, the Reuse Centre was named Community Support of the Year award by Goodwill Industries of Alberta!! We felt very honoured by such recognition!

Our relationship with Goodwill Industries began in September 2011 when the Reuse Centre began recruiting community groups to volunteer as Sorters in our facility.
Goodwill Industries of Alberta’s Power of Work program was the first group to sign up. The program supports people living with disabilities in locating volunteer opportunities in their communities. It was the perfect match – the Reuse Centre provided the Goodwill volunteers the opportunity to learn sorting, group and organizational skills and we got a group of cheerful, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. The partnership quickly grew from the volunteers coming in once a week to four times a week. Doug and Charlotte are part of the Goodwill group of volunteers. They are truly a joy to be around with their big smiles and positive attitudes. They have become an integral part of our store. In 2012, Doug and Charlotte and the rest of the Goodwill group contributed over 1600 volunteer hours at the Reuse Centre!

Charlotte and Doug

Shortly after Goodwill volunteers began volunteering at the Centre we furthered our partnership with Goodwill. Goodwill and Reuse Centre exchange goal specific items in an effort to ensure the cycle of reuse continues and this system helps us reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Goodwill Industries has been very generous to us at the Reuse Centre. In 2012, Goodwill presented us with the 2012 Volunteer Organization Recognition Award. The award recognizes organizations that provide outstanding support for persons in the community with barriers to employment by providing volunteer work opportunities. And then this year, we were nominated and won the Community Partner of the Year Award given to organizations that help Goodwill reach its goals.

Reuse Centre Staff Karen, Hayley and Sarah shortly after accepting our award!

We felt very honoured to work with Goodwill to reach our goals and humbled to be the recipient of these awards from such a great organization. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Goodwill.