Ever wonder what happens to the rarest treasures that get donated to Goodwill?

Cassette tapes, point-and-shoot digital cameras and Guitar Hero guitars – what's old is cool again! In this episode of Sustainable Steps, Tami & Jake talk with David Hantla, E-commerce Manager at Goodwill of the Great Plains, to hear how this specialized team brings the most unique, rare and collectible donations to you, all while maximizing Goodwill's mission!

In this episode, we'll learn:

• The Treasure Hunt: How the team finds hidden gems, from 16th-century Bible pages and 1850s shipwreck gold to a "double-sided" painting verified by a famous artist's estate.
• The Science of Shopping: Goodwill uses high-tech tools, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machines, to analyze the elemental composition of jewelry and precious metals.
• Mission-Driven Tech: How the e-commerce department provides vital job training for persons-served, teaching professional skills in digital inventory, book scanning and product authentication.
• Live from Goodwill: Learn about our newest auction offerings on Whatnot, featuring purses from Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Michael Kors, Kate Spade!

Ready to find your next treasure? Explore Goodwill's online offerings:

• ShopGoodwill: Visit shopgoodwill.com to browse auctions for antiques, jewelry and collectibles.
• Whatnot: Search for Goodwill of the Great Plains to join our weekly live-streamed purse auctions.
• Books: Find our media selection on Amazon, eBay and goodwillbooks.com.

To find out more about Goodwill of the Great Plains and the job training and placement services offered, please visit goodwillgreatplains.org.

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

What actually happens when you drop off your old laptop for recycling?

Is "deleting" your files enough to keep your identity safe?

In this episode of Sustainable Steps, Tami Koenigs and Jacob Heller hit the road to talk with Levi Hentges from SEAM (Secure Enterprise Asset Management) in Sioux Falls to look at the lifecycle of electronics.

In this episode, we'll learn:

• The 3/70 Rule: Why electronics make up only 3% of the landfill, but 70% of its toxic waste!
  
  
• Sanitization vs. Deletion: Why a "wiped" drive isn't always empty and how forensic-level software ensures your privacy.
  
  
• Staying Secure: Simple steps you can take at home to secure "offline" assets before they get recycled.

To learn more about SEAM and the services offered by the company, please visit seamservices.com

You can find refurbished items sold by SEAM at bargainbytes.net

To find out more about Goodwill of the Great Plains and the job training and placement services offered by the organization, please visit goodwillgreatplains.org

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

In this episode of Sustainable Steps, Tami Koenigs and Jacob Heller dive into the organization that makes what you're hearing possible.

Cari Gehling, with the Gilchrist Foundation, talks about the incredible impact of Jocelyn Gilchrist's legacy on Sioux City and beyond.

Hear the fascinating history of the foundation - born out of the Sioux City livestock industry.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Wild Side: Discover the foundation's work with the Broken Kettle Grasslands, bison herds and native prairie restoration.

• A Lifeline for the Arts: How the foundation supports everything from the Sioux City Symphony to providing free music lessons for local students.

• Responsive Giving: The story behind Jocelyn Gilchrist's anonymous philanthropy and the foundation's "Micro-Grant" program for quick-turnaround community help.

Find out more about the Gilchrist Foundation at: gilchristfoundation.org.

Learn about Goodwill's Job Training and Placement programs at: goodwillgreatplains.org.

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible due to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.