Shred-Ex

SBA Community Advantage Loan Program 

Prioritizing the people, the environment and the wellbeing of Vermont are major parts of the Shred-Ex mission, according to Todd Klimoski, owner and general manager of the Colchester-based data destruction company. 

He found a kindred spirit in VEDA. 

Klimoski grew up in Madison, Wisconsin — a community with a history of strong recycling efforts — and his father was a trash hauler in a time when the norm was to bring waste to the landfill. 

The nuances and care around how to dispose of items stuck with him, and Klimoski’s company now ensures all on-site shredding is 100 percent recycled back into paper products. 

A book lover, Klimoski enjoys working with libraries to responsibly recycle books that have seen the end of their lives. 

Electronics are also 100 percent recycled, working with partner facilities that share his values. 

As a result of its recycling efforts, in the last year Shred-Ex saved more resources than just paper products including: 

16,934 trees 

493 barrels of oil 

996 tons of CO2 

6,972,959 gallons of water 

Through VEDA’s Small Business Loan program, Shred-Ex is working to add another building to its Colchester campus in addition to acquiring the property on which it sits. 

Additionally, VEDA helped Shed-Ex access the SBA Paycheck Protection Program which enabled Shred-Ex to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The company was considered an essential service and therefore work didn’t stop — but, as customers furthered work-at-home programs for their employees, the demand lessened. 

Klimoski promised his employees their regular 40 hours per week, and he kept that promise. Some days that meant keeping the trucks really clean, he joked, but creative solutions on his part and creative financing opportunities with VEDA meant everything stayed afloat. 

If VEDA did not exist, Klimoski and his five employees would be in a very different situation. He said the partnership allows his crew to bring in more materials for recycling and maintain its place within the communities it serves — reputation counts in Vermont, Klimoski said, and by staying open and offering its services, it has stayed on peoples’ minds. 

Much like VEDA, Klimoski prioritizes a holistic approach to growth — in an industry that has seen, and been responsible for, immense change over the years, Shred-Ex continues to support sustainability and the proper disposal of items. 

Yes, it’s a business, but it’s also a responsibility, and one that Klimoski doesn’t take lightly. By investing in its people — with VEDA’s support — Shred-Ex is ensuring it won’t be going anywhere but up. 

“The SBA program is a good overlay with what I’m trying to do in this state — it was a really good match.” 

~ Todd Klimoski