Austin, TX — If you’re looking for an easy way to make a difference this Earth Day, Goodwill Central Texas has a simple challenge for you.

It’s called “Swap Your Shop,” and the idea is straightforward. Instead of buying something new, try picking up one secondhand item. That one small switch can help cut down on waste and reduce your environmental impact.

According to a 2023 report, if every U.S. shopper made that choice just once this year, it could reduce carbon emissions by more than 2 billion pounds. That’s like taking 76 million cars off the road for a day. It could also save more than 20 billion gallons of water and keep hundreds of millions of pounds of waste out of landfills.

And it doesn’t have to be a big commitment. Even buying one thrifted clothing item instead of a new one could prevent about 450 million pounds of waste each year.

So whether you already love thrifting or have never tried it, this is a good time to start. Swap out one purchase, give something pre-owned a second life, and see the difference it can make.

If you do take part, you can even share your find on social media and tag @austingoodwill.

The Austin Police Department is investigating two fatal Friday morning crashes that represent the city’s 17th and 18th traffic fatalities of the year.

APD put out details about the two deaths in separate press releases on Friday. The first bulletin reveals that at 3:03 a.m. on March 27, officers responded to a single motor vehicle collision in the 2600 block of W. Slaughter Ln.

According to the release, the collision involved a motorcycle leaving the roadway. The motorcycle rider, 27-year-old Evan Sedall, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The incident is being investigated as the city’s 17th fatal crash of the year. On this date in 2025, the city had seen 20 fatal crashes resulting in 24 deaths.

According to the second press release, at 3:58 p.m., officers responded to a collision involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian in the southbound lanes of the 13300 block of N. U.S. Highway 183.

An unidentified pedestrian was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

This incident is being investigated as Austin’s 18th fatal crash of the year, resulting in 18 fatalities

The statements in these press releases are from the initial assessments of the fatal crashes, and the investigations are still pending. Fatality information could change.

Anyone with information about either case should contact APD’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111. Residents can also submit anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting its website or calling 512-472-8477.