SARASOTA, FL—Goodwill is well know for its mantra of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Locally, Goodwill Manasota strives to adhere to green business practices, seeking to be energy efficient and reduce its carbon footprint while diverting millions of pounds of unwanted goods annually from area landfills. In June of this year, the organization continued its efforts to be “green” when it was the beneficiary of lighting upgrades from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) at its Selby/Newtown location in North Sarasota. For this effort, Goodwill Manasota was recognized with the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Triple E Award, a quarterly recognition for outstanding energy efficiency efforts.
The upgrades to the Selby/Newtown facility were possible through FPL’s Nonprofit Energy Makeover Program. Goodwill’s new LED lighting, valued at $4,500, is brighter and uses less energy, while producing less heat. This enables the air-conditioning system to cool more efficiently, particularly during warmer summer months. The lighting upgrades are expected to save the organization more than $1,200 annually – funds that can be diverted to support its mission services.
“We are so grateful to FPL for analyzing our energy use and donating the services and lighting upgrades, which are reducing our lighting costs. Every dollar we save in energy is one dollar more we can spend on services for the people in our community,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO. “Goodwill has long been committed to environmental stewardship, conservation of energy and water, carbon footprint reduction, waste reduction and recycling, and environmentally responsible purchasing. We appreciate the PSC’s recognition of our recent efforts.”
Covering the state’s five major geographic areas, each quarter the PSC presents its Triple E Award to a local business that has accomplished superior energy efficiency. The PSC encourages cost-effective conservation and renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels and defer the need for new generating capacity through the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.
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 philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.