Jan 4, 2023

Community foundations support Goodwill’s plastic recycling initiative

PRESS RELEASE

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) was awarded a $100,000 Community Impact Grant from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, and an additional $2,500 gift from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County’s Environmental Endowment Fund, in support of its new plastic recycling initiative with HydroBlox Technologies. 

“We sincerely thank the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County for their generous support of this exciting opportunity to significantly reduce the amount of plastic going into our local landfills,” said President and CEO Jeanette Hoyer. “This investment reflects our community’s commitment to finding environmental solutions of recycle and reuse of plastic waste.”  

Goodwill’s joint-venture with HydroBlox Technologies, will manufacture “planks” made of 100% recycled plastic to be used in stormwater management projects such as road construction, retaining walls, hydroponic farms, solar fields, green roofs, and other applications. Goodwill recently purchased, and is in the process of refurbishing, an 80,000-square-foot building in Muskegon to house operations. Goodwill expects to produce and distribute HydroBlox products by the spring of 2023. 

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation is a charitable foundation that connects people, supports programs, and leads change to help its community thrive. It helps improve and enhance the quality of life by promoting a healthy, inclusive, and diverse community. 

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County was created in 1961 to improve the quality of life for Muskegon County residents. As a publicly-supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from thousands of community citizens and organizations who are committed to the future of Muskegon County.