Cells for Cells Talks to Dino DeMarco about Extreme Recycling

Dino DeMarco is the founder and President of Extreme Recycling in California. Visit www.extremerecyclinginc.com for more info.

Cells for Cells: What are 3 easy things that anyone can do right now to be better at recycling?

Dino: Try and reduce your footprint by limiting the amount of unnecessary waste – if at all possible.

Sort your recyclables (ewaste, plastic, paper, aluminum, etc.)

Just remember, you don’t have to be perfect to be effective!! If everyone does a little no one has to do a lot.

Cells for Cells: What is new at Extreme Recycling?

Dino: A lot of things are new at Extreme Recycling:

We have shut down our Midwest facility as it was not cost effective and we were not able to bring in the amount of materials to sustain a facility in the Midwest.

Extreme is more focused on the constant change in the industry, the volume has become larger but the size of devices have become smaller which presents a huge difference in the ways that are needed to final-process end of life equipment.

We have become more involved in the ITAD (IT Asset Disposition) aspect of the industry. We are seeing a larger volume of devices and equipment come thru which still have a longer lifespan then we did in previous years. This allows us to test, repair, and refurbish equipment that can still be sold and used in the work and home environment.

Extreme is also very focused on the data destruction side of the business as everything moves from brick and mortar sales to online platforms. There are a lot more opportunities for cybercrime than ever before . We are focusing a lot of time, energy, and money on how we can provide our clients with the most safe and secure way to protect themselves and the public when it comes to data breaches and final data destruction.

Cells for Cells: What do you think is easier for big and small companies to recycle in 2019?

Dino: Computers and CRT monitors are almost gone so the flat screens are easier to sell and ship. Laptops, tablets, small network devices.

Cells for Cells: What do you think is more difficult for big and small companies to recycle in 2019 (Zombies!!!)?

Dino: Well Zombies have always been a difficult one , but still have their place in the recycling process.

On a serious note, printers and household appliances and toys and batteries, come to mind first.

Cells for Cells: Tell us more about your philanthropy…how can more people get involved.

Dino: Extreme recycling was founded on this philosophy – we do a lot of donations and work with a large amount of organizations, schools and non-profits.

We recently sent over to Pakistan computers, laptops, monitors to help a nonprofit who works with the deaf. It was a great experience working them. Hopefully, I will get the chance to take them up on their invitation and see it up close and personal. We have donated all over America and other countries. Donations and giving back is something we are not only passionate about but also, as I am typing these interview questions, we are preparing a couple of donations to go out.

Cells for Cells: Who is one of your business partners that is doing great thing for the environment?

Dino: We have several partners and I would be doing an injustice to single just out one. So let’s just say we try to align our business with people who go above and beyond to do the right thing.

Cells for Cells: In your daily life, what are you really good at recycling?

Dino: I have been in this industry for so long that I don’t even think about it…it is an easy habit for me. For instance I was walking along the local beach with my girlfriend and I just start picking up trash I see. Before the end of our walk, I had found a plastic bag and filled it with trash and recyclables.

Most large cities here (in California) that collect trash, have facilities that can sort mixed trash streams. I have actually toured the one in the city here where our facility is located…it is very impressive.

Cells for Cells: China has been in the news recently. They are penalizing (charging a fee) those who don’t recycle. What do you think about that?

Dino: I have mixed feelings about it, there are good and bad points. I try not to push recycling down people’s throats. If they are interested, then I am more than happy to provide insight and my experience to help them.

Cells for Cells: Are there just some people who don’t recycle or do we have a chance to influence others? How are you doing that?

Dino: It’s like anything else — there are always going to be the people who wouldn’t recycle even if their lives depended on it. As far as swaying people — I believe it has always been through education and leading by example.