SustainAbility

As a local recycling company, SustainAbility is dedicated towards connecting communities, and giving opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities through sustainable actions that protect our environment such recycling and reusing.  Behind the creations that are made by individuals with disabilities from recycled materials, SustainAbility has a very inspiring story!  

SustainAbility began operating four years ago in 2010 by Melisa Kraai along with two individuals with disabilities.  They initially offered residential recycling pick-up services where the recycled materials were picked-up and handled by an old wheel chair van.  The lift from the wheel chair van was necessary in order to move the large bins on and off the vehicle.  At the time they didn't have the money to afford a pick-up truck and were therefore limited by three pick-ups at a time.  Melisa reflects on the journey of great opportunities that SustainAbility has had after they began and explains that they now have four trucks that collects residential and commercial recycling.  They also currently have two drop-off sites for customers who don’t want to pay for pick-up, three warehouse locations, an electronic collection and disassembly program which is used to take apart large items. Many of these materials are then up-cycled into materials that can be used, and are therefore sold to the public.  Currently, they employ 110 individuals including 85 individuals with disabilities, which are involved in: costumer service, marketing, disassembly, and sewing projects.

Along with caring for our environment through sustainable efforts, SustainAbility also gives individuals who are underrepresented in the community the ability to improve their lives.

Currently the unemployment rate for individuals with a disability is 70%, and most of these individuals rely solemnly on social security benefits.  After paying for bills and necessities, disabled individuals are left with only a few dollars to spend.  The goal of SustainAbility is to provide them with a job that not only improve their ways of living, but a job that also improves their cognitive abilities and emotional development as they create and craft new pieces.  While having a job, individuals with disabilities find self worth, dignity, and confidence as they develop new friends, but most importantly as they see their contributions in our society.

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