Lower Columbia Recycling is open for business!

Ben Elkinton is no stranger to Wahkiakum County, nor to the dozens of people who know him as "Ben the Junk Guy".

He's proud of this nickname and his new business plan is to be the place to bring your unwanted reusables. As he announces to people that he is back in business, he gets a grateful "Finally!" or "I've got a load of stuff, when can you come get it?"

Lower Columbia Recycling is the name of Ben's new venture, and he's got a new location at 588 Elochoman Valley Road.

"The main focus while getting started is the metals, but the expansion plans include mulching organic materials, plastics, paper, wood waste, concrete and others as the need arises," said Elkinton. He also says one of the main reasons for this type of service is to remove as much material from this county's waste stream as possible.

"It frustrates me to go to the dump/transfer station and see piles of things people could have brought to me just as easily. Things that can be re-used by someone else. They even paid to drop it off there and I'm free!"

Elkinton plans to make the recycling process as easy and accessible as possible. He will have a pull-up area to dump off material and stations for the different types of material and an office up front. He plans to add gravel and a covered area for people to stay dry while they pick through material or drop-off at the stations. He also makes a point to say no Freon, even in appliances, no Hazmat, and no trash.

While he prefers for people to drop-off their unwanted, salvageable, metals, building supplies & electronics, he will come to you with an appointment, and a little patience, call 795-8880.