INDIANAPOLIS — Just about anywhere you drive, you see trash.
Cans and bottles are the most common but aren't the only items on the side of the road. The crews at Interstate Business Solutions (IBS) know this very well because they see it all.
"All kinds of trash, from baby clothes to household items," said Deidra Anderson with IBS. "Tires, car parts, everything."
IBS has collected more than 25 million pounds of litter across eight states including Indiana. But cleaning up interstates is only one part of the company's mission.
"We are a second chance employer," said JD Brooks, IBS president.
IBS is actually changing the lives of the people doing the work. The company offers jobs to those who've been homeless, battling substance abuse or people who've been incarcerated.
"I wound up getting into some trouble when I was 17, wound up having me locked up for five years," said Anderson, a current employee.
She served time for attempted murder and assault. But when she got out, Anderson started picking up trash for IBS.
"This job has really changed my life around a whole lot," Anderson said.
She started as a crew member and worked her way up to be a crew leader.
"It's taught me that anything is possible. I'm grateful for this job. I wouldn't trade this job in for the world. I love my job," she said.
IBS workers make $15-$21 an hour. When they're not picking up trash, IBS helps them set up bank accounts, find affordable housing and connects them to other employers with higher paying jobs.
"We want them to come build their career with us, get their resume built back up and then move on to one of those opportunities. We're going to help connect them with those other employers," Brooks said.
It's a company cleaning the community one mile at a time and changing the lives of those doing the work.