EAST BUTLER — Out of Sight Shredding recently was awarded a $210,000 state grant to upgrade and expand its equipment.

Out of Sight Shredding is an employment training program of The Blind Association.

“(The department) saw that we were already having an impact on the environment because we already recycle,” said Jennifer Bindernagel, Out of Sight Shredding executive director. “This expansion of equipment is going to increase the volume that we’re able to process for pulp recycling.”

The nonprofit paper-shredding business, founded in 2010, provides jobs for the visually impaired. The upgraded equipment will allow it to increase its workload and create more work hours.

“We are expanding our operation to increase work hours for individuals with disabilities. We’re estimating by at least 3,100 hours annually,” Bindernagel said. “In additional we’ll be increasing the tonnage that is recycled through Butler County.”

The grant will allow the organization to buy a second truck to collect paper. It also will upgrade its shredding equipment to include a 40 horsepower shredder, a conveyor belt system, a bailer, and a tracking software system for its collection process.

The additional hours will be filled by two new part-time positions with the rest being distributed among the current workers.

All of Out of Sight Shredding’s revenue goes to the budget of The Blind Association.

The grant will be funneled through the Butler County Department of Recycling and Waste Management in October of this year.