Caption: William M. Heenan, Jr. Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Development Award is presented to Reworld™ and Goodwill Keystone, recognizing the successful fee-free e-waste recycling program that has collected over 1.4 million pounds of electronics. Pictured (L to R): Pennsylvania Senator Amanda Cappelletti; Gordon Burgoyne, Business Manager of Electronics Recycling, Reworld™; Robert Bylone, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center; Edward Lada, Jr., President and CEO, Goodwill Keystone; Jessica Shirley, Acting Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Jamila Winder, Montgomery County Commissioner.
EAST NORRITON, Pa. – Today, Reworld™ – a leading sustainable waste solutions company – and Goodwill Keystone proudly accepted the William M. Heenan, Jr. Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Development Award. Presented by the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center (RMC) at the Goodwill Keystone store and donation center in East Norriton Township, the award recognizes the successful partnership that has expanded access to fee-free electronic waste (e-waste) recycling across 22 counties in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley and Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder joined representatives from Reworld™ and Goodwill Keystone to speak about how the program provides residents with a convenient way to recycle electronics at no cost while supporting Reworld™ and Goodwill’s mission to advance sustainability in local Pennsylvania communities.
“The Governor and I believe in the GSD motto – that stands for ‘getting stuff done.’ This partnership truly got stuff done – 1.4 million pounds of electronic waste was recycled and now won’t be going into landfills,” said Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. “That helps create jobs here in the Commonwealth, with Goodwill Keystone and Reworld, and we’re getting all this done at no cost to consumers.”
“This program provides an avenue for responsibly disposing electronic waste for millions of Pennsylvanians – reusing products that still have some life in them, and keeping the rest out of landfills,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “The 1.4 million pounds collected is an amazing accomplishment for Goodwill and Reworld, and is a fantastic outcome for Pennsylvania.”
Since the program’s launch in May 2024, Goodwill Keystone stores have collected, and Reworld™ has sustainably processed, over 1.4 million pounds (1,439,117) of e-waste, surpassing the program’s goal of collecting half a million pounds within the first year.
The award from the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center presented today is named in honor of Bill Heenan, a recycling advocate and instrumental figure in establishing the RMC. The award recognizes individuals or organizations that apply innovative technologies or novel methods to improve the efficiency of recycling processes in Pennsylvania.
This partnership supports almost fifty-seven percent (57%) of Pennsylvania’s population with a free location to responsibly recycle their electronic waste, without limitations on type or amount of consumer goods, while supporting Pennsylvania jobs at Goodwill Keystone and Reworld™. “We thank the partnership for their commitment to both our citizens and electronics manufacturers,” said Robert Bylone, CEO and President of the Recycling Markets Center.
Reworld™ is a proven provider of e-waste recycling, recovery and environmentally responsible disposal, having recycled more than 146 million pounds of e-waste. At its e-waste processing facility in Philadelphia, Reworld™ is returning raw materials to manufacturers in compliance with the Pennsylvania Covered Device Recycling Act and international e-Stewards standards.
“Together, we’re addressing a critical need for accessible e-waste recycling, diverting these materials as required by the Covered Device Recycling Act from disposal or from being illegally dumped,” said Gordon Burgoyne, Business Manager of Electronics Recycling at Reworld™. “We are helping Pennsylvanians responsibly manage their end-of-life electronics, which is the fastest growing waste stream in the world.”
Evaluators were compelled by the program’s ability to fill a noticeable gap in Pennsylvania’s recycling infrastructure. Prior to May, only nine (9) e-waste recycling sites in the state offered free, unrestricted access to electronics recycling. Through Reworld™ and Goodwill Keystone’s efforts, the program features forty-two (42) drop-off locations across twenty-two (22) counties.
“This program provides residents with a simple and reliable way to recycle electronics,” said Edward Lada, Jr., President and CEO of Goodwill Keystone. “By partnering with Reworld™, we’re making it easier to reduce waste while furthering Goodwill’s mission to support our communities and promote environmental sustainability.”
The program is open for the public to donate a wide variety of e-waste items from televisions and computers to other household electronics, including mobile devices, gaming systems, telephones, toasters, vacuums and more. If the electronics dropped off are at the end of their life or broken and Goodwill Keystone cannot sell them in their stores, Reworld™ responsibly recycles them. The program also encourages residents to donate other gently used items, such as clothing, books and household goods. Visit yourgoodwill.org for a complete list of Goodwill Keystone and donation centers participating in the initiative, as well as a list of accepted and non-accepted electronic items.
About Reworld™
Reworld™ is a leader in sustainable waste solutions, providing innovative and environmentally responsible services to a global community. Reworld™ is committed to advancing zero waste initiatives and supporting sustainability goals through state-of-the-art technologies that reimagine, reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and renew. For more information, visit www.reworldwaste.com.
About Goodwill Keystone
Goodwill Keystone serves 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania. As a 501c3 nonprofit, revenue generated from the sale of donated goods in its retail stores and online auction site directly supports Goodwill’s mission to advance sustainability so that individuals and families can thrive and flourish. Goodwill fulfills this mission by recycling donations into training, paychecks and careers. Additionally, as America’s original recycler, environmental sustainability has been central to Goodwill’s mission since its founding. To learn more, visit yourgoodwill.org.
About Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center
The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center (RMC) is a nonprofit corporation with mission to reduce or eliminate barriers that lead to expanded end-use of Pennsylvania’s recycling. As the only Pennsylvania organization with this uniquely circular mission, the RMC team brings economic development and environmental guidance; recycling industry outreach and research; and manufacturing assistance to stakeholders including entrepreneurs, manufacturers, recycling sorters, collection programs, haulers, governmental agencies and officials, consumers and educators. Since inception in 2004, and with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the RMC has an affiliation with Penn State and is headquartered at Penn State Harrisburg with an office also in Pittsburgh. Serving the entire state, RMC assistance includes manufacturing supply connectivity for use of recycled feedstocks; applied research and commercialization assistance in the use of recycled materials; technology and equipment comparisons; and expert curation of technical and business growth knowledge. The Recycling Markets Center is the keystone of circular economy in Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit PennRMC.org.
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