Renewed Purpose

At Metro Recycling, our mission, which began in 1988, is rooted in a commitment to improving both the environment and the communities we serve. As a family-owned business, we focus on purchasing recyclables that might otherwise end up in landfills. We then process these materials into new products, which manufacturers can use to create finished goods. This approach is at the heart of what we do—turning waste into valuable resources that benefit the environment.

On a typical day at our scrapyard, you’ll see contractors, peddlers, and homeowners unloading various scrap materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, and brass. We use specialized equipment like shredders, balers, and mobile shears to process these materials. The result is raw material that steel mills, aluminum smelters, and copper smelters purchase, melt down, and transform into new products.

Recycling has a significant economic impact, both locally and globally. Locally, when customers bring their scrap to us, they’re paid for their material at the time of sale, and that money flows back into the local economy, creating a positive ripple effect. On a global scale, on the sell side, the products we sell are sold domestically and globally. Global events such as wars, supply chain issues, and the value of the dollar, all affect the trade value of the products we sell. I am always watching global and domestic news to see what can possibly affect these prices.

From a Christian perspective, recycling aligns with the biblical teaching that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. We are called to be responsible stewards of the planet, the resources it provides, and the things we make. Recycling helps ensure that items like bicycles, household appliances, and cars don’t end up in landfills, but are repurposed into new products. This process reflects our responsibility to care for creation, reduce waste, and meet our needs in a more sustainable way. Recycling is also more cost-effective than mining for new raw materials. For instance, recycling an aluminum can allows it to be back on store shelves in just 30 days, while also saving enough energy to power a TV for three hours.

It's also important to understand the process behind recycling. When we understand how recycling works, it becomes easier to see the value in using resources more efficiently rather than letting them go to waste. For example, knowing that aluminum can be recycled indefinitely makes it harder to throw that can away. Understanding the broader impact of recycling deepens our sense of responsibility toward resource conservation and innovative uses.

Beyond those benefits, recycling also creates jobs. The recycling industry provides employment in processing, transportation, and sales of materials, which contributes to local and national economies.

Recycling isn’t just about the basics, like sorting cans and bottles. There are many unconventional materials that are often overlooked but can be recycled or repurposed. Freon, gas, oil, and antifreeze from cars are examples of materials that, if not handled responsibly, can harm the environment. However, when reclaimed and reused, these substances can serve another purpose. We encourage people to think outside the box and consider how many everyday materials are recyclable, helping to reduce the impact of waste.

I believe there is a generational shift in how people view recycling, as more people are talking about it. However, I’m not sure that awareness always translates into action. To encourage young people to engage with recycling in innovative ways, we host tours at our facility for local schools and kids’ groups. Our goal is to educate the next generation about the importance of recycling and inspire them to come up with new solutions for waste reduction in the future.

For those interested in learning more about recycling and reusing, I recommend visiting a local scrap recycling facility to learn about what materials can and cannot be recycled. Many places offer tours or educational resources that explain the process. You can also contact your local waste management provider to find out what happens to the materials collected from your curbside. Getting involved with recycling centers through internships or volunteer opportunities provides hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of how the system works. The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to make a meaningful impact.