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Communitas in Abbotsford announces closure of Enterprises job program

Changes in technology for shredding and recycling services lead to reduced manual labour
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ShredMasters and ValleyRecycling will close their doors at the end of July. (Communitas photo: Veronica Harms)

After more than two decades of providing shredding and recycling services in the Fraser Valley, ShredMasters and ValleyRecycling will close their doors at the end of July.

ShredMasters and ValleyRecycling were each a division of Communitas Enterprises, a program of Communitas Supportive Care Society in Abbotsford.

Both enterprises provided training and employment opportunities for people living with a developmental disability, mental health challenge or acquired brain injury.

George Jacob, chief operations officer for Communitas, said closing these businesses after such a long time in the community was a difficult but necessary decision.

“In recent years, shredding and recycling technology has changed significantly. The future of these businesses lies in greater automation and reduced manual labour. Sadly, this changing landscape means the continuation of our services no longer fits the social mission of our organization,” he said.

For the past several months, Communitas has worked to find other businesses to take over the two operations.

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Jacob said the goal was to find businesses committed to excellent customer service, high environmental standards, and social responsibility.

Waste Connections of Canada will take over commercial recycling, and Urban Impact will take over all shredding and multi-family unit recycling services.

Jacob said it felt good to find companies that have a solid reputation and track record in their field. He is also grateful for the opportunity to stay connected.

“One of the great things that Urban Impact does is hold Shredding Days that benefit charities in the community,” he said. “We’re looking forward to having them hold ongoing events to benefit Communitas.”

Jacob says information on the first shred-events with Urban Impact this fall will be out shortly.

He said Communitas is committed to working with current employees to help them find suitable work in these fields or to work at retraining in other areas.

Communitas Enterprises continues to offer other training and employment opportunities for people of diverse abilities through its other enterprises: Little Sprout Café, Comm Crew Landscaping, and its janitorial services and vehicle maintenance program.

Visit CommunitasEnterprises.com for more information.

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