Work is a treasure hunt for recycling center employees
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers DIGGING FOR TREASURE- Joey Ramos and Mark Corralejo stand ready to collect recyclables at the Simi Valley Recycling Center. More people recycle these days because of increased redemption values and concerns about the environment, said the two men.

Like modern pirates in search of lost treasures Joey Ramos and Mark Corralejo successfully turn people's castaways into gold every day.

But they don't have to raid ships to gather the loot. People willingly deliver the goods to the Simi Valley Recycling Center, nestled between Simi Valley and Moorpark, south of the 118 Freeway.

The pair of hardworking men may appear gritty and full of malarkey, but their obliging demeanor quickly emerges as they greet customers with a smile.

While a grey Jaguar pulled up to the drop off area, Ramos remarked that the recycling business has evolved and recycling quantities have tripled in recent years.

"About 350 cars come through the center on Saturdays," said Ramos, who is the buyback manager. He has been working at the center since 1991.

The pace of the business is unpredictable, said Corralejo, the plant manager. Sometimes it's quiet, but at other times the line of cars backs up to Los Angeles Avenue, so it's easier if people bring in things when they're already sorted. "It speeds things up," he said.

People recycle more because redemption values have gone up, said Ramos, indicating that some use the extra cash to buy gas for special trips.

Some individuals also make a living from this, Ramos pointed out. "They're out there hustling every day in people's garbage to collect anything that is recyclable."

Recycling is a messy business as piles of reusable materials accumulate at the center, but it's good for the environment.

More people are beginning to realize that natural resources are not infinite, so they make the extra effort to recycle now, said Corralejo, a Moorpark resident.

"It's kind of like a duty now," said a customer who was dropping off several large bags filled with aluminum cans.

In addition to cardboard, plastics, glass and aluminum, the center also takes in a variety of metals.

"But if a magnet sticks to it, there is no worth to it," said Corralejo, indicating that all metals are accepted, but they don't all have a redemption value.

Working in the recycling business is not for everyone. "This job was kind of rough at first, but I'm a junk guy, you know," Ramos said.

"Antiques and broken stuff fascinate me, and you see a lot of interesting stuff going through here," said Ramos, adding that recycling is a million dollar business these days.

Although some customers are demanding, Ramos said he enjoys the work because most of the people who come by every day are kind.

As he was saying this, a woman approached, and she gave several bags of fresh bread rolls to Ramos "for the family," she said with a smile, thanking him for his kind services.