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8-year-old Ryan, Eco-entrepreneur, has saved $21k from his recycling business

2 min read

Good Stuff
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Ryan Hickman is 8 years old and is already saving for his college fund with profits from his recycling business. So far $21k and counting!

In 2012 at the age of 3, Ryan decided that recycling was in his future

In 2012 at the age of 3, Ryan went along with his dad to the local recycling center and cashed in a few small bags of cans and bottles and decided that recycling was in his future. Today, Ryan has customers all over Orange County, CA and he has a passion to recycle that is amazing. 

A trip to the recycling centre gave Ryan an idea The day after going to the recycling center, Ryan notified his parents that he wanted to give empty plastic bags to all the neighbours and maybe they would save their recyclables for him. Not only did the local neighbours save their cans and bottles for Ryan but so did their friends, families and co-workers. Source: Facebook/60SecDocs

TV appearances for the young environmental activist

In December 2016 and January 2017, Ryan’s recycling story went viral and he was featured on hundreds of web sites and radio stations around the globe. He even appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show and was interviewed by Ryan Seacrest and featured on ABC World News and hundreds of ABC affiliate news stations around the world.

Source: ryansrecycling.com

Since starting his business, Ryan has saved $21,000 towards his college education.
Ryan is saving for his future college education (although he might tell you he’s saving for a full size trash truck) Since starting his business, Ryan has saved $21,000 towards his college education. Source: ryansrecycling.com
People ask all the time what kind of items that Ryan recycles. Ryan collects plastic and glass beverage bottles as well as aluminum cans. Ryan and his parents take them in by the truckload every few weeks to the local redemption center where they are unloaded, sorted and weighed.
7-year-old entrepreneur Ryan Hickman People ask all the time what kind of items that Ryan recycles. Ryan collects plastic and glass beverage bottles as well as aluminum cans. Ryan and his parents take them in by the truckload every few weeks to the local redemption center where they are unloaded, sorted and weighed. Source: ryansrecycling.com
Ryan is a Youth Ambassador at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. All proceeds from his company t-shirts go to help support their volunteer efforts.
Award from Mayor Ferguson and SJC City Council Ryan is a Youth Ambassador at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. All proceeds from his company t-shirts go to help support their volunteer efforts. Source: ryansrecycling.com

Main photo: Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG

Make an Impact

Be like Ryan: 10 ways to improve your recycling

Ryan has a unique passion for recycling and thanks to all of his customers, they are making a difference in the amount of recyclable beverage containers that aren’t making it back to the landfill. Those containers also aren’t making it to gutters and oceans where they harm animals and the environment. Be like Ryan.