Image: Archway Community Services / Over 60 members of the Archway Recycling Program staff (pictured) are facing job loss at the end of the year as both cities cut their contracts with the non-profit.

By Alyssa Conti

JOB CUTS

Dozens losing jobs as Abby-Mission recycling depot ends contract after 42 years

Aug 22, 2025 | 9:10 AM

ABBOTSFORD — A number of workers, many of whom are newcomers and people with disabilities, are set to lose their jobs after the cities of Abbotsford and Mission end their contracts by next year.

Archway Community Services has provided recycling services for Abbotsford since 1983 and Mission since 1986. Due to cost-saving efforts, these services will be transferred over to a new contractor effective January 2026.

“We are grateful for the decades of ‘doing good and doing well’ that’s been demonstrated by the municipalities in providing inclusive employment whilst also championing a commitment to the environment,” said Rod Santiago, Archway CEO.

“However, discontinuing the contract at this time will terminate longtime employment for 62 local residents in our community.”

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Both cities process over 10,000 tonnes of material every year.

With the new contractor, curbside recycling will be consolidated and sent to Emterra Group for more automated processing in New Westminster – replacing labour from local residents who face barriers to employment.

“So many of our staff are devastated by the news,” said Laura Midan, Archway’s director of recycling and operations. “They are not only losing their jobs, but they are also losing their community and sense of purpose.”

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper has since called on the province to step up with immediate measures for inclusive employment programs, stating that the lack of proper provincial and municipal funding has had a trickle-down effect on vulnerable people.

“This isn’t just about one depot,” Gasper said. “[A]bbotsford and Mission are left to carry the burden of choices made in Victoria, while families in our community lose stability.”

Santiago added that the renewed contract would have been more competitive if municipalities approved and budgeted upgrades for their facilities.

For now, the non-profit is inviting other businesses to help them secure employment for staff facing layoffs at the end of the year by emailing inclusivejobs@archway.ca.