Members of the Ideas in Motion Media team had the opportunity to take advantage of the spring-like temperatures on Friday and took a tour of the Metro Auto Recycling Facility in Valparaiso.
Neil Samahon, the C.E.O. of Metro Recycling, and Olivia Sanders, the company’s Marketing Outreach Coordinator, spearheaded the day’s educational event attended by Ideas in Motion Media C.E.O. Chris Mahlmann and Executive Team Leader Jenny Craig-Brown.
“I want people in the community to feel comfortable when they visit, ” shared Samahon. “Everyone is friendly and we’re excited to educate and help with all your recycling needs.”
The large Valparaiso facility on Lincolnway, is the company’s second branch to accommodate auto recycling in addition to the wide variety of recycling services that are available at each of their three facilities in Valparaiso, Griffith and Blue Island.
“We accept washing machines, dryers, old appliances, copper, cast iron products, grills, radiators, file cabinets, any metal that attracts magnets, faucets, bathtubs, aluminum siding, window frames, fencing, water heaters, shelving, dumbbells, guardrails, golf clubs, doors, light poles(municipal dumping) grills, stainless steel, food equipment,” shared Sanders. “We accept just about everything including the kitchen sink.”
The facility also has an onsite crusher and a warehouse neatly stocked with barcoded engines, transmissions, wheels, side mirrors, automotive wheels and door panels ready for resale. Mahlmann and Brown got a chance to witness the break-down process of a scrap vehicle via a massive Transformer sized multi-dismantling machine - some would say it mimicked the childhood game Operation.
“Our company purchases cars from 2009 to now from auctions and we keep the valuable body parts, which are then cleaned and sold to auto shops for a wholesale price,” said Samahon. “The parts are also barcoded so we can properly track our inventory and respond to customer inquiries quickly and efficiently.”
Metro Recycling has been committed to taking care of the environment ever since they opened their doors 30 years ago. All oils and liquids from the cars are kept secure in an onsite reservoir to prevent from contaminating nearby water sources. The facility also goes the extra mile by continuously sending water samples to the state to make sure they are upholding their promise to protect our environment.
“We’re dedicated to community integration - we are citizens of the community,” shared Samahon. “We planted 400 trees on this property back in 2010 to ensure we are caring for the area.”
“In 2010, Metro Auto Recyclers was designated Gold by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Indiana Clean Yard program and we have maintained this status ever since then,”added Sanders. According to the Indiana state site, “Gold Level is a higher level of recognition for auto salvage recyclers that meet the criteria to be an Indiana Clean Yard, and make a greater commitment to environmental protection."
Metro Recycling also has a long term involvement with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) and currently surpasses the highest operating standards for safety and environmental care.
“The scope of what can be recycled is far more than most would imagine. They identify every recyclable material and then source that out to companies who can process materials and ultimately keep all those materials out of a landfill,” said Mahlmann.
The company is strongly dedicated to giving back to the community’s residents. They have an ongoing partnership with United Way and Samahon is the Vice Chair for Opportunity Enterprises. Metro Recycling also has a strong partnership with Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction and will be providing recycling services at their annual Earth Day event on April 22nd.
“Our success is directly related to how we interact with the community. Every year we present a $1,000 scholarship to graduating high school seniors - primarily to students who’ve been accepted to Ivy Tech or going off to trade school,” stated Samahon. “A lot of people don't realize the opportunity of going in to a trade or seeking a path in the recycling business. I had the drive and willingness to learn and at the age of 24 I started as a manager and now I’m the CEO of the company. My sales manager started working in the yard at the age of 19 and the manager over at Blue Island started off around the same age and is now putting all of his kids through college.”
To receive more information feel free to visit the facility or call them at 1(800) 686-3753.