2024-04-03
The Ark, Michelin reap benefits of refundable agreement
BRIDGEWATER - A refundables agreement allows a Bridgewater-based association to pay participants of its programming, while, at the same time, a large multinational can unload piles of cans and bottles in support of charity.
Each week, a staffer with The Ark/Lunenburg County Association for the Specially Challenged (LCASC) drives to Michelin to load recyclables bound for charity. The material is sorted and, later, returned to a bottle depot for $150 to $250 return.
"It's been a really good partnership" and a "real win-win for both of us," Kirby Nickerson, the local Michelin's personnel manager, said in a phone interview.
Before health-related restrictions set in as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michelin returned the bottles on its own and donated the proceeds to various causes. Once shutdowns came into effect, the recyclables of Michelin staff and contractors began to stack up. Jim Spence, in charge of building technical services at Michelin, came up with the idea of getting The Ark involved.
The Ark/LCASC marks its 60th birthday this year. The agency provides vocational and educational programs. It also carries out recreational opportunities like dance, music, skating and beach excursions. The Ark's more than 50 participants also engage in cleaning, snow clearing and the organization has long-term deals with the Town of Bridgewater for gardening and litter clean-up work.
Michelin and The Ark have partnered before on various occasions. Years ago, Michelin had The Ark scrape residue off wire bobbins. Workers also used to make tool pouches and fabric bags for the company and helped in the plant's cafeteria.
"Little stuff here and there," Nickerson noted, "but nothing like this."
It's hoped some of The Ark's participants can accompany staff to Michelin for the pick-up, Jon Wolstenholme, the association's production co-ordinator, said in a phone interview.
The weekly amount of recyclables to sort "fills the back of our truck, which has side rails on it," he told LighthouseNOW. "They seem to have the same amount each week." It's short travel; the round trip is about six kilometres, all within town. The Michelin plant is along Logan Road, while King Street is the location of The Ark.
The arrangement allows The Ark to pay four or five people.
"It came at a perfect time for us because we were trying to increase our opportunities for paid employment. All that money stays in the community and is spread throughout the Bridgewater area," Wolstenholme said.
"It's nice to be offer this little bit of work with all of the other great things we do."
The Ark's participants also engage in woodworking and art. Whether it's a social program or earning a wage, the decision is the participants' to make.
"Everything we do here is by choice," Wolstenholme pointed out. "Whatever people want to come in and take part in is completely up to them."
Nickerson and Wolstenholme spoke of the positive relationship involving the two groups and the value of building great connections within the community.
Nickerson encouraged the broader business community to explore potential partnerships with The Ark.
Enviro depots in Bridgewater, Liverpool, New Germany and Liverpool are accepting bottle donations on behalf of The Ark. "Please note that we ask that recyclables be dropped off to a depot and not directly to The Ark," Wolstenholme added in an email.
To learn more about The Ark, go to https://www.thearkbridgewater.org.
