Ryan Hickman is the founder of Ryan’s Recycling, which focuses on the collection of recyclable materials so that they do not go to waste. What makes Ryan Hickman a unique entrepreneur is he takes his own approach to a global problem, the problem being recyclable materials being wasted.
Ryan has been driven to make a difference in cleaning up the planet ever since he was at the age of three when he didn’t like seeing discarded bottles and cans lying on the ground, so he did something about it. This idea is great because it ensures that reusable materials end up being renewed instead of potentially being left in the world and polluting the environment.
Ryan is innovating by starting a new nonprofit, Project 3R, which he uses to educate and stress the importance of recycling to adults and kids alike all around the world. It will also help to organize and manage clean-up efforts for the community. He also sells T-shirts that state the message, “Make the Sea Trash Free.” All of the profits from the sale of his merchandise and recycling go to the rescue organization Pacific Marine Mammal Center. He has helped recycle 1.5 million cans and bottles and raised more than $14,000.
Ryan inspires me to look for problems in the world, find a good solution to that problem, and get others to care about the problems too through community and teamwork to help expand your business. I have learned the principle that getting others passionately behind your solution to the problem you are trying to solve can help expand your business.
This is super impressive that a kid this young took upon in interest in helping the economy. He was passionate about cleaning from the age of three so it seemed like he would eventually make a difference one day and he did. The fact that he has recycled 1.5 million cans and bottles is amazing to myself.
It is rare for someone his age to have any interest in the economy or environment. It’s really cool that he was able to recognize an issue, have the desire to fix it, and come up with a solution.
It is remarkable how he found out what he wanted to do at such a young age. Most people are just starting to count from 1 to 10 and are learning the alphabet. Recycling is something that is often overlooked, which makes his idea even more thoughtful.