Fifteen-year-old Ryan Easton of Mount Pearl is not your average teenager looking for a part-time job at a fast-food joint. Instead, he decided to start his own business, Ryan’s Recycling, right in his parent’s backyard.
What started as a small operation has now grown into a full-fledged business, complete with a 10,000-square-foot storage yard and a 700-square-foot scrapping facility in Donovan’s Industrial Park. Ryan, a Grade 9 student, recycles cars, appliances, metal, and e-waste, selling the scrap to bulk buyers.
Using YouTube tutorials to learn the ropes, Ryan’s business acumen has impressed even his parents. Viola Easton, Ryan’s mom, initially had doubts but now fully supports her son’s venture. Ryan reinvests every dollar back into the business, leading to the expansion of his operations.
With a keen eye for business opportunities, Ryan is now planning his third annual Earth Day free e-waste event, where people can drop off their electronic waste for recycling. He hopes to educate the public on the importance of recycling and plans to expand his business to other locations in the future.
Despite his young age, Ryan has already processed 300,000 pounds of scrap steel and has proven his financial savvy by doubling his money on investments. With a growing team of employees, including his parents and friends, Ryan is determined to make a positive impact on the environment through his recycling business.