More and more often, you see “junkyards” transforming into “recycling centers” or “auto recyclers.” One reason is the effort to be more environmentally conscientious. Scrap processors are already some of the most efficient recycling companies but if you look like a “junkyard” it’s hard to claim being “green.”

Also, there is a stigma associated with scrapyards similar to pawn shops – operating in or near the gray area of the law. Many recycling operations are doing everything in their power to remove as much of the criminal element from their business relationships.as possible. Cleaning up and looking more like a recycling center instead of a junkyard is helpful in that process. Dealing above board on all transactions as well as working closely with law enforcement has been another important step.

Another reason involves growth opportunities. City and county government entities are much more likely to work with a reputable business to help them grow and being a recycling center helps with that, as was evidenced recently by Speedway Auto Parts of Joliet, Illinois.

So, next time you go to recycle something, take a closer look and see if you don’t see a different operation than your dad’s “junkyard.”

All across the country, we continue to see stories like this one. Scrap prices are up and the availability of scrap is low. With manufacturing having taken such a blow during the recession, the inflow of scrap iron has dropped off dramatically from a couple of years ago. The question is, then, how long will this shortage last? The easy answer is to say “until manufacturing picks back up.” The tougher answer is trying to predict when that will be. What do you think? How soon will we see higher levels of manufacturing and thus a larger supply of scrap?

As a recycling company, Pacific has as one of its goals simply to make the world a better place. We even use the phrase “passion for the world around us” as one of the five key passions or driving forces we use to guide our actions. So, we try to promote environmentally and economically sound recycling practices. We hope that all companies and people interested in recycling will keep that in mind.

With that in mind, we encourage some rethinking from the general public. Upon deciding you no longer need an item, a good thing to do before even recycling it in the traditional way is to think if it still has any useful life to any other person. In our search to simplify our lives by making things easier, sometimes we give in to the easiest way to dispose of something, rather that taking the time and energy to investigate other methods of disposal. So think before you toss that item into the garbage or recycling bin – does it have any other use first?

Also, as you recycle, look for opportunities to help those who are less fortunate. Pacific always accepts your desire to have the proceeds from your recyclables donated to your favorite charity. Sometimes, we even work with organizations to hold a drive specifically to raise money for that organization, frequently matching all funds collected through the recycling effort.

It’s also good to see other companies involved in recycling reaching out to help others. One in particular is the Institution Recycling Network, a cooperative recycling organization that works with colleges and universities, hospitals, K-12 schools and private companies to improve the performance and economics of recycling. Their recent assistance sent to the people in Haiti is worthy of admiration and attempts to duplicate. Wherever you are, remember that there are so many who have so much less than you do – reading this on a computer is undeniable proof. So find a way to make the world a little better today.

Could California’s model beverage container recycling program be in jeopardy of collapsing? According to a lawsuit brought by several local recycling companies, that’s exactly what will happen if the state doesn’t repay into the fund money previously borrowed for other expenses. This just shows the difficulty of recycling plastic economically when a state with the volume of plastic like California struggles to make it work.

If a government is going to commit to back the recycling of plastic, they better stay in the game. Without the local recyclers and the redemption fund as a subsidy, where will all that plastic go? Outside companies aren’t going to want to be involved because they would already face higher transportation costs and the prospect of not getting their money from the state. Arnold better think carefully about this issue or he could become really unpopular very fast.

I wrote an article earlier about convenience being an important factor to determine a recycling program’s effectiveness. I’d also like to add getting some sort of financial benefit. Successful recycling operations will provide both. And in case you think that there are a lot of people willing to “do the right thing” by recycling no matter what, here is another article that says otherwise. The scary thing with this one is the finding that people under 40 are less likely to recycle old cell phones unless there is an incentive – I thought it would be the other way around.