Ryan Hickman is the thirteen-year-old creator of Ryan’s Recycling Company. At age 3, Ryan didn’t like seeing trash lying around.  He collected his family’s recyclables and went with his dad to take them to the recycling center.  He received $5 from the trip and became inspired to continue collecting recyclables, making the world around him cleaner.  Ryan went door to door in his neighborhood collecting neighbor’s bottles, and his parent’s coworkers and friends would send theirs to him too. By the time Ryan was 7, he started Ryan’s Recycling company.

In 2016, Ryan’s story went viral in the media.  He appeared on several talk and radio shows, such as Ellen, Today, and Little Big Shots. He was featured on dozens of tv programs, named CNN’s young wonder and named the citizen of the year of his hometown, as well as being a top finalist for Time Magazine’s kid of the year award.

Now, at age 13, Ryan’s company has continued to grow.  He has customers from all over his county in California.  He sells merchandise with the tagline “Make the Sea Trash Free”, where all his proceeds go to a marine rescue organization. He also created another nonprofit with the mission to educate kids and adults about the importance of recycling.  Ryan has donated 1.7 million cans and bottles and donated almost $15,000 through charity through his merchandise sales.

Ryan shows signs of innovation because at such a young age, he saw a problem and worked to make a difference.  He not only works to make the world a better place but is working to teach others on how to do the same.  His stories show principles of innovation, dedication, and compassion.