*Please note: this story was originally featured in SOAR365’s Summer NEWZ publication. Click here to view the full newsletter.
Recycling at the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) is doing more than helping the planet. It’s making a real difference in people’s lives.
Each week, SOAR365 team members collect paper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminum from buildings at DSCR. They sort the items, shred them, and pack them into large bales. The plastic and aluminum are sent to other companies to be reused. Meanwhile, the paper and cardboard go to International Paper, where they are turned into new things, like diapers.
Sean Ingram works in the recycling center. He does many jobs, like sorting and weighing materials, and he also drives a forklift to load pallets of recycled materials onto trucks. “It feels good knowing all this work is helping make something important, like diapers,” Sean said. “We’re making a difference.” Sean has worked for SOAR365 for 20 years and takes great pride in keeping the recycling center clean and organized.
In 2024, SOAR365 recycled over 86 tons of material. That’s about as heavy as 14 elephants! For this amazing work, they won a Recycling Excellence Award from International Paper.
And 2025 got off to a strong start – by spring, SOAR365 had already recycled more than 23 tons. That number keeps growing.
Mark Biggs is part of the Janitorial & Custodial team. “I go building to building picking up everything: paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and more,” he said. “When I found out we recycled over 86 tons last year, I was blown away. We’re doing something big here.”
Recycling is just one of the ways SOAR365 helps at DSCR. SOAR365’s Business Solutions division provides jobs to nearly 100 people with disabilities. At DSCR, they not only help with recycling, but also work in landscaping, cleaning, and at the visitor center. These jobs help people earn money, learn new skills, and feel proud of their work.
While Mark does not have a disability, he often trains and works with employees who do. “I make sure everyone feels safe and supported,” he said. “We work together, and we look out for each other.
Mark’s journey with SOAR365 began 15 years ago when he was hired as a “Floater,” helping whenever and wherever he was needed most. He eventually earned a promotion to Crew Leader thanks to his hard work and skill. But for him, recognition isn’t as important as the real purpose of his work. “We want to show everyone that SOAR365 cares about making a difference for our coworkers, customers and community.”
By combining environmentalism and disability employment, SOAR365 is helping change materials and mindsets, showing that everyone has the power to make a lasting impact.
SOAR365 is a proud partner of SourceAmerica and the AbilityOne program. To learn more, visit www.sourceamerica.org.
To learn more about SOAR365’s efforts to provide good jobs for all through its Supported Employment and Business Solutions departments, visit soar365.org or follow SOAR365 on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.