Local Voices
MRC Polymers Celebrates Recycling Partnership with Disability Training Agency, Little Friends Inc.
Downers Grove, IL – When MRC Polymers employees were greeted by 60 smiling faces wearing t-shirts with “Recycle” across them, they knew they were in the right place. On June 19, Chicago recycler MRC Polymers celebrated their 5th year in partnership with Spectrum Vocational Training Agency, part of Little Friends Inc.
The two firms established an economical partnership that helps MRC recycle land-fill bound plastic while providing meaningful work for adults with developmental disabilities.
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Nicole Fox, program manager states, “MRC continues to provide Little Friends employees the opportunity to build their work skills and do something good for the environment. It has grown to be a preferred job for several of our clients, many of whom may not otherwise have the opportunity to earn a paycheck.” Nicole also told MRC employees that the excitement of recycling DVD’s for MRC has grown into a recycling collection for plastic bottles, “Our clients go home and tell their families about our recycling program and they bring in bags of recyclables from home. It’s a great educational opportunity for us as well.
The celebration on June 19 included an Ice Cream Social, where Spectrum clients proudly wore their new “Recycle” T-shirts donated by MRC, and accepted an award from MRC President and CEO, Paul Binks. MRC employees served the Ice Cream and each had a toppings station, ranging from Butterfingers to gummy bears!
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Since 1980. MRC has annually transformed millions of pounds of landfill-bound plastics into high quality, engineering grade resin pellets for manufacturing applications. Some feedstocks include car bumpers, CD’s, DVD’s, 5 gallon water bottles, and sign fronts. “Our partnership with Little Friends demonstrates that it is possible to meet social and financial goals while achieving a positive impact on our environment,” said Paul Binks, President and CEO of MRC Polymers. www.mrcpolymers.com
About Spectrum Vocational Training.
Spectrum Vocational Training is the Adult Day Services Division of Little Friends, Inc., a private, non-profit agency based in Naperville, IL. Founded in 1968, Spectrum serves people, ages 16 and older, with developmental challenges from DuPage and surrounding counties. Individuals work on subcontract jobs and are paid for the work that they do. Spectrum serves more than 200 people each year in its vocational programs, and is located at 2302 Wisconsin Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60516. For more information, please visit www.littlefriendsinc.org
About Little Friends, Inc.
Little Friends is non-profit 501c3 and has been serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities for over 40 years. Based in Naperville, Little Friends operates three schools, vocational training programs, community-based residential services and the Little Friends Center for Autism. Founded in 1965, Little Friends serves more than 800 people each year throughout DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will, McHenry and western Cook counties.
It is the mission of Little Friends to empower children and adults with special challenges to live, learn, work, and participate in the community.
Little Friends Media Contact:
Kim Bus, Director PR and Marketing
630.355.6533 • kbus@lilfriends.com
MRC Polymers Media Contact:
Jennifer Brown, Marketing & Business Dev
773-890-5566 • Jbrown@mrcpolymers.com
