GREENSBORO, N.C. — Hundreds of millions of donations are brought to Goodwill locations every year, but not all items sell. Triad Goodwill launched the first program in the state to take glass that doesn’t sell and reuse it. 


What You Need To Know

  • Tumbled by Goodwill is available at two Triad locations

  • The "sea glass" can be used for many craft projects

  • Of every dollar in sales, 85 cents will go toward Triad Goodwill's job training programs

Dantae Doggett is a glass production worker with Goodwill, helping turn pieces of the at least 100 tons of donated glass at the Triad Goodwill that didn’t sell out of the 200 tons donated into a new product. 

“When it comes out of the tumblers, it just looks so beautiful,” Doggett said. 

Dantae Doggett breaking unsold glass.
Dantae Doggett breaking unsold glass. (Spectrum News 1/Sydney McCoy.)

Doggett has been working with Goodwill for around a year and is helping spearhead the recycled craft glass program, Tumbled by Goodwill, the first of its kind in the state. 

“Repurposed” by Triad Goodwill is a new initiative to promote even more sustainability of items that were not purchased and give them a second chance at life, with the glass the first product available in the line. 

Triad Goodwill has tumbled more than 750 pounds of glass with about 7,000 pounds in queue to be tumbled.

For every dollar, 85 cents of sales will go toward Triad Goodwill’s job training programs, helping community members gain career skills, get certification or licenses in specialized training programs and giving those who have been released from incarceration a second chance at employment through their Careers On The Outside program. 

“The funds we raised through our retail operations or salvage and this awesome Tumbled program are going directly into programs and services to support folks here in the Triad. Everything we do, our mission is improving lives and enriching communities through the power of work. So everything is about harnessing that power of work, folks entering the workforce,” director of philanthropic partnerships at Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina Baylee Smith said.

Smith said last year Goodwill helped serve over 2,100 people in its career center and career services, along with connections of over 100 community partners to help those looking for work.

Doggett is doing the forklift certification through the job training program.  

Pieces of glass about to be sorted.
Pieces of glass about to be sorted. (Spectrum News 1/Sydney McCoy)

“Truthfully, because of my background, it would be hard for me to get a good job and, well, hopefully working with Goodwill will go help me take the step to get a career,” Doggett said. 

The glass that is recycled is used down to the dust with the sand-sized pieces being able to be used in construction for foundation building and “glitter” or other sizes can be used in countertops, with the program's end goal selling glass in bulk for landscaping on construction. 

“Last year, we diverted over 15 million pounds of goods from the landfill through our donations and through our operation. So this is another way that we're trying to divert waste from the landfill,” Smith said.

The tumbled “sea glass” is currently sold at the 3921 Battleground Ave. store in Greensboro and the 3740 S. Church St. store in Burlington and can be used for many different craft items, with a “DIY Inspiration Book” at the participating two locations. 

“This signifies Goodwill right here. It gives you a whole different chance to do something different. This ain't just glass no more. It's got a whole different life now,” Doggett said. 

The Career Center is located at 1235 S. Eugene St. in Greensboro.