CANTON, N.C. (From news reports) -- This is the final week for the majority of Pactiv Evergreen employees, before the permanent closure of the Canton Paper Mill.

Monday, Pactive Evergreen issued the following statement:

"We are committed to supporting our employees through this transition by providing severance and other resources, including local events, continuing education and career days.

"We look forward to working with state and local officials to determine how to repurpose the mill to continue serving the region.

"Once our operations in Canton end, we will fulfill our wastewater treatment obligations to the Town of Canton over the next two years and work together with the local community and the NC DEQ to ensure we meet our environmental obligations as well as continue to operate safely and responsibly across our North Carolina facilities.

"We continue to explore strategic alternatives for our Waynesville extrusion facility. As previously announced, we anticipate reducing staffing in Waynesville by the end of June with the wind-down of the Canton mill and will continue to treat all impacted employees with fairness and respect through this process."