Blue Star Recyclers Emphasizes Abilities
Blue Star Recyclers Emphasizes Abilities
By Annie Uyehara
DisAbility isn't a typo on Blue Star Recycler's webpage.
"We like to exaggerate the abilities part of it," says Kevin Emory, operations manager for Blue Star Recyclers (BSR) Mountain Recycling Operations. BSR takes electronic waste such as computers and DVRs and employs only people with disabilities, mostly those with autism. "Disability is a negative term, but these individuals just haven't had their skill set utilized."
BSR's founder, Bill Morris, observed disables people disassemble electronics so quickly that he saw an innate skill set for repetitive tasks and began a recycling warehouse in Colorado Springs in 2009 with employees on the autistic spectrum.
BSR opened a disassembly facility in Basalt this year, where Tanner Jadwin, Lead Disassembler, is busy taking apart laptops and computer towers. Jadwin, who holds a record of disassembling 20 laptops in a day, doesn't consider his job a drudgery. Putting down his tools to talk, he says "My job feels like a hobby, and it turns out I'm pretty good at it." He points to Emory, whom he's worked with side by side since opening BSR in April. "It also helps that he's understanding and patient, for a boss."
Emory smiles, "Tanner's a social butterfly."
BSR, which received the 2012 Real Leaders award for making positive social or environmental impacts around the globe, focuses on a social return to the society.
"The biggest social return allows individuals that are discriminated against and gives them a sense of community. It's an incredible workforce willing to help the community and the environment," says Emory. BSR also helps alleviate taxpayer money since the disabled earn their income instead of relying wholly on federal and state government assistance programs.
"Austistic people blow it out of the water. They hit their goals, they show up and on time, and there's low employee turnover." Emory speaks of a "working theory" that those who are "neuro-divergent", a.k.a., on the autistic spectrum, have a skill set that's very task-oriented, thourough, and doesn't mind repetitive tasks.
Jadwin, who has high functioning autism, thinks he fits into this theory. "Since I was two, I've taken apart electronic stuff to see how they work. When I first found out about Blue Star, I thought, this is my dream job."
Working at BSR gives Jadwin confidence and he eventually hopes to refurbish computers. He wants people to know those with autism are similar to us all.
"It's like the term, 'differently able'–there's things we can do I'd never imagine doing."
E-Waste Drop-off Event!
In mid-October, there will be an E-Waste drop-off event at the CMC Blake Center parking lot in conjunction with the Glenwood Springs Noon Rotary Club.
Date TBD.
Contact Blue Star Recyclers at 720-415-0767 or kevink@bluestarrecyclers.com
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