Dec. 17, 2007 -- Victor Martinez gets excited when he finds something new to recycle. His latest plan is to ship off-island used batteries found in the sea and in the bush.
"It's important to recycle and keep the island clean," said Martinez, owner of EZ Recycling. "We need to do it for our children."
His recycling center is located in Anna's Hope next to Public Works. "A lot of people don't know about the center," Martinez said. "But that is slowly changing with the movement to recycle."
After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Martinez began working in the recycling business at Virgin Scrap. "The first couple of months after Hugo we were shipping three containers every three weeks," Martinez said.
Almost three years ago, Martinez bought the present business from Community Recycling. He has part-time employees who are on call when he needs extra laborers. Working full-time along with Martinez is his sister, Jessica Rivera.
"She's amazing," Martinez said. "She works harder than a lot of men."
The price paid for aluminum cans at EZ Recycling is 25 cents a pound. Other metals such as brass and copper are priced according to the market value, which fluctuates daily.
Martinez said more businesses are willing to do their part in recycling. He now has recycling containers at 18 business locations for aluminum cans.
The St. Croix Recycling Association helps get the word out about the center. Member Jeff Lawlor dropped off a back-up computer battery that couldn’t be used in rebuilt computers. "Victor needs the support of the community to continue to provide a worthwhile service," Lawlor said.
Martinez dismantles computers and sifts through parts for nonferrous metals (those without iron) to recycle. He doesn't accept plastic, cardboard and tires because the cost of labor and shipping is too high for the low-paying market.
Martinez found a buyer in the states who will take engine alternators, starters and electric motors and is trying to find a market for TVs, VCRs and monitors. The batteries he has are ready for shipment to Puerto Rico where they will be converted into lead.
Martinez's brother, Jose Rivera, works at a recycling center in Orlando, Fla., and finds contacts for Martinez.
Martinez said business is down a bit because the V.I. Waste Management Authority has cracked down on his customers by imposing fines on those who take recyclables out of roadside waste containers and landfill. He said some of his customers have gone to unlicensed recyclers who are paying higher prices for metal.
The metals are separated, crushed, baled and weighed. The bales each weigh approximately 725 pounds. Once he has 48,000 pounds he is ready to ship the metal off-island. Allied Metal Corporation buys the metals from Martinez.
The hours at the center are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. To schedule a pickup of recyclables, call the center at 778-0100. People may make donations of their aluminum cans to the Boys and Girls Club.
Martinez encourages school groups to bring children for a tour of the center, so they can learn the importance of recycling.
"We need to shape their young minds about recycling," Martinez said, "They need to know almost everything can be recycled."
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