Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Announces Joint Venture with Comprenew
Marquette, MI – April 23, 2018 – Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (Goodwill NWUM) is pleased to announce a joint venture with Comprenew of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to provide proper electronics recycling services to people in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin.
This agreement builds on the strength of Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (Goodwill NWUM), one of 155 independent Goodwill organizations, and Comprenew, Michigan’s only e-Stewards certified company, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the only non-profit electronic recycler and refurbisher in the world certified to both the e-Stewards and R2 standards.. By partnering together, Goodwill NWUM and Comprenew are able to expand electronics recycling and refurbishing services to the area through the development of retail stores and e-waste drop-off locations. Goodwill NWUM currently operates six retail stores and two training centers covering the territory, along with a logistical collection fleet. Comprenew will be able to use Goodwill NWUM’s existing infrastructure to keep cost affordable and service efficient for the community.
Goodwill NWUM and Comprenew have a shared mission to provide job opportunities to people who experience barriers to long-term employment, which makes for a perfect partnership opportunity to expand into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin.
Goodwill NWUM President and CEO, Jim Borowski, states, “we are excited to announce this partnership to bring not only responsible electronic waste recycling to the area, but also continue our mission of taking donated goods to help fund programs for those with barriers to employment. We are very pleased to have this relationship with Comprenew and look forward to a long and successful partnership”.
Comprenew President Scott Vander Kooy states, “It is exciting to be able to expand Comprenew’s model in a way that increases the public’s access to safe and secure recycling of electronics. Our partnership with Goodwill NWUM enables us to provide the best service as cost effectively as possible while helping to protect of one of the most beautiful parts of the world. I want to thank Jim Borowski (President & CEO of Goodwill NWUM) and his entire team for working with us to make this possible.”
About Goodwill Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
Goodwill Industries of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, a 501c3, was established in October 1965 with its core mission being to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work. Goodwill focuses on job training programs and job placement for the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin. Our programs help people with any barrier to employment obtain experience and meaningful employment.
Goodwill is one of the original participants in recycling, diverting gently used items from the landfill into the hands of people who want them. The revenue from donations pays employees who live in the community, pay taxes, and consume local goods, as well as funds local training programs.
About Comprenew
Comprenew serves corporations, municipalities, and individuals through the collection, refurbishing, and recycling of used electronics. They are certified to the highest data security, environmental, and health and safety standards in the world relating to used and surplus electronics. Comprenew is the only e-Stewards certified company headquartered in Michigan and the only non-profit electronic recycler and refurbisher in the world certified to both the e-Stewards and R2 standards. Their retail locations provide warrantied refurbished products while serving as convenient places to drop off electronics for data clearing and proper recycling.
Comprenew strives to demonstrate that people who traditionally have barriers to employment can perform at the highest standards given the right training and environment. Comprenew operates three social programs that improve access to information technology, provide work experience, and offer service learning programs for corporations, community groups, and schools.
See Photos From the Grand Opening
