CalMAX Listings Help International Recovery and Reuse Efforts

by Kevin Taylor, CalMAX Coordinator

Harrington Metal Recyclers (HMR) prides itself on being a full-service asset recovery company. HMR began over 15 years ago in Australia by recovering precious metals, mostly silver, from used x-ray film. It now helps organizations find new homes for, and/or obtain, a broad range of overstocked or obsolete business equipment, including computers, typewriters, desks, medical equipment, and file cabinets. In fact, HMR has grown to become an international organization with processing and distribution facilities that span three continents (Australia, North America and Asia).

The products obtained by HMR are either refurbished for resale or de-manufactured to obtain reusable components or commodities, which can be recycled. HMR estimates that of the more than 2 million pounds of material HMR processed in San Francisco alone last year, 98 percent was diverted from the waste stream. HMR has also received a grant from the City of San Francisco to operate a processing facility to manage electronic discards such as computer monitors and televisions.

Warren Puckett, HMR's Special Projects Manager, learned about the program two years ago when he first came to California. He looked through a CalMAX catalog and thought it would be the perfect means to advertise HMR's services (and at the right price, too). The company currently has five listings for wanted materials, ranging from x-ray film, to electronic scrap and office equipment. Warren estimates HMR receives several calls every week from their CalMAX listings, and he considers the catalog an important source for new contacts that are in need of the company's services. In 1998 alone, HMR was involved in over 30 exchanges of materials through CalMAX.

Puckett has also become involved with California's reuse and recycling community by attending the California Resource and Recovery Association's 1999 annual conference in San Francisco. There he met CalMAX staff and developed other contacts that have lead to other business opportunities as well. Puckett's current goal is to continue to use CalMAX's resource tools, increase business and make new contacts throughout the industry. Harrington Metal Recyclers can be reached at (415) 647-6071, or via e-mail at warren@hmrusa.com.

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Last updated: August 01, 2008