Usel scoops £317,000 document shredding contract

This follows the securing of a major, three-year £317,000 contract from the NI Executive to destroy confidential documents held by Stormont Departments and other key Government bodies.

The company, which has implemented the strictest industry compliance and security measures, is one of the first to win NI Government tender opportunities reserved for organisations dedicated to supporting disabled and disadvantaged people in the workforce.

UShredNI which was formed in January 2020, currently employs 16 people in a state-of-the-art operation that disposes of confidential material in a secure environment and recycles it in line with Usel’s commitment to green principles and the Circular Economy.

Scott Jackson, the Head of Manufacturing and Recycling at Usel said: This was the largest contract that UShredNI had secured to date and saw it as a launching pad to win more contracts in the public and private sectors. It already provides shredding services for councils, schools, banks and a range of blue-chip companies and smaller businesses and as UShredNI continues to grow over the next two years, it will create new jobs for people with disabilities.

“Everything we do centres around developing a greener society while at the same time creating a brighter future for people with health conditions and disabilities by providing sustainable jobs and excellent training and support. We are dedicated to recycling as much material as possible to reduce the reliance on landfill. 100% of the shredded documents will be sent to paper mills in GB to make products such as napkins, kitchen roll and toilet paper.”

Usel Chief Executive, Bill Atkinson said the contract would shore up its position as a main provider of employment for people with long term health conditions and disabilities.

He explained: “We were delighted to have been awarded this contract which has allowed us to further extend our provision having been awarded several significant contracts over the year. This contract will allow us to secure jobs for people with disabilities or health conditions during this difficult time with the opportunity to create further jobs in the future.”

Finance Minister Conor Murphy recently visited the Usel manufacturing and recycling base in Belfast to view its operations.

He added: “The awarding of this £317,000 contract will provide job security for those working within the organisation as well as potential employment opportunities for others and highlights that social enterprises have the skills and experience to deliver significant contracts to our public sector.

“The company runs a highly successful manufacturing, recycling and employability business and is in partnership with organisations to provide support to get people back into employment, operating a range of training programmes that assists people with disabilities to gain the qualifications and skills required for sustainable employment.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you