Innovation

The inspiration for GoodWood’s innovations comes from wanting to produce as little waste as possible because the construction business is one of the largest waste industries in the country. They want to do this all while increasing community awareness about sustainability practices and making New Orleans a greener and more equitable place.

The first two innovations are called “LA Green Corp,” and “Son of a Saint.” The first is an internship partner program that gives people in the New Orleans area a chance to build career opportunities so they can improve their lives and the community. The second is a program that works with young boys, teaching them how to work with wood and build various projects with the help of the GoodWood team mentoring them. These solutions directly affects the UN SDG #8 because the programs help to reduce the proportion of youth not in employment or training.

The next two innovations are called “S.O.U.L.” and “The Green Project.” The first is an initiative committed to reforesting the city of New Orleans in order to help offset their use of lumber. The second is a program that works with local businesses to donate their excess materials and sawdust from various projects so that they can be recycled, repurposed, and reused. Both of these solutions directly relate to the UN SDG #12 because they are substantially reducing their waste through the practices of recycling and reuse. They are also increasing awareness and setting an example to other businesses and members of the community about sustainable development and how it positively impacts the community.

Inspiration

Mr. Jordan Rose said, “seeing how much waste is produced in the construction industry, I want to reduce ours to as little as possible”. He also said that, "the large amount of waste that the construction industry is responsible for was a major inspiration for the company wanting to do their part and try to limit the waste as much as they could".

Overall impact

The overall impact of the innovation is to produce a waste free environment off work sites and reuse it towards a good cause. They have multiple uses for the furniture they make and can make an impact in the local New Orleans area. They are reducing the amount of waste being used in the area and converting it to something productive for the area. The short-term effects are waste reduction and the limit of trash being left out in the community. Some long-term effects are they are able to provide furniture and structure for the local area and have a long lasting impact. They are mainly helping out the local New Orleans area but they also reach out to local partnering areas.

Business benefit

Putting in the effort and commitment to limit the waste of the company not only helps the environment but also the image of the business. By making it a priority to limit waste as much as possible, other people who share the same wish will likely become attracted to the business and could potentially become a customer or an employee. Most people who are passionate about something like limiting waste and contributing to a cleaner environment will try their best to support a business that shares these views and goals. By attracting a large number of people who share the same desires of creating a better environment and community, the company could ultimately see an increase in revenue.

Social and environmental benefit

This innovation and their mission is very sustainable for the environment as they reduce the amount of waste imputed in the local area. They donate sawdust to local cooling farms to help reduce the amount of waste they produce and they convert the rest of the wood into eco-friendly furniture for the community.

They take stray metals, plastics, woods (etc.) and turn these into objects that can be useful for the community around them. With this business model they are able to do good for the environment and community while also making a profit and filling jobs for local people that need work.

Interview

Jordan Rose, Founder