Ryan Hickman has a passion for making the earth a better place. He realized at a young age, he didn’t like seeing cans and bottles lying on the ground everywhere, so he took matters into his own hands. It all started when Ryan would collect his family’s and neighbor’s recyclables by going door-to-door with a bag attached to his bike. By the age of seven, in Orange County, California, Ryan’s Recycling Company was brought to life.

Word spread and many other people started recycling in their homes so Hickman could come pick it up and take it to the recycle center. His goal is to recycle to prevent cans and bottles from reaching the ocean, where it’s harmful for the environment. He has been on many shows and organizations to talk about his business and sells t-shirts on his website from which all the profits go to a rescue organization called Pacific Marine Mammal Center. He’s also started a non-profit called Project 3R, which educates and stresses the importance of recycling and helps organize and manage community clean-up efforts. Hickman found an area of need that he had a passion for and was able to create a successful business that is cleaning up our economy. 

Ryan inspires me to be bold and follow through with my desire to make the world a better place. I love how he was able to start a business and make profit from it, but then also start a nonprofit. He is a truly caring person and I aspire to create impact like he does. I learned that being able to have close relationships with family, friends, and neighbors is a great opportunity to test your business ideas. Ryan did just that and people loved it, I’m sure he was then inspired to take his ideas to the next level, with the support of his community.