SEATTLE – Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington has become the first nonprofit—and the first Goodwill organization in the country—to host Amazon’s shipping-box-free, label-free return kiosks in all 21 of its retail locations across five counties.
The partnership allows customers to complete two of the most common car-trunk errands in one stop: dropping off unwanted Amazon purchases and donating gently used goods.
“The two things almost everybody has in their car are an Amazon return and a bag of items to donate,” said Libby Johnson McKee, president and CEO of Evergreen Goodwill. “People can now get both done in one place.”
For Johnson McKee, the rollout carries personal resonance. Before joining the nonprofit, she served as Amazon’s director of worldwide returns, recommerce, and transportation sustainability, where she helped develop the kiosk program now coming to her current organization.
The self-service kiosks, already familiar to shoppers at some grocery and big-box stores, let customers scan a QR code from the Amazon app, place the item in a provided reusable bag, and deposit it—no cardboard box or printed label required. The process typically takes under two minutes.Amazon says the collaboration marks its first with a nonprofit partner.
“We’re always seeking ways to make returns more convenient for our customers, and working with a nonprofit like Evergreen Goodwill does exactly that while supporting their important community mission,” said Gopal Pillai, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide returns and recommerce. “We’re excited to make it easier for customers in Northwest Washington to drop off label-free, shipping-box-free returns at the same place they’re donating and shopping.”
Goodwill expects the kiosks to boost store traffic and introduce new donors and shoppers to its thrift model. Customers who complete an Amazon return and sign up as a Goodwill Insider receive a 20% off coupon valid for 24 hours, nudging them to browse while they’re already inside.
Every purchase at Evergreen Goodwill supports the organization’s tuition-free job training and education programs for adults in the region.
“Amazon and Goodwill share a mission of delivering excellent value and convenience to customers,” Johnson McKee said. “In addition, every return is an opportunity to donate and shop thrift, which supports our tuition-free adult education. A win for shoppers and the community.”
The kiosks are now live at all Evergreen Goodwill locations in Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.
Author: Mario Lotmore
