Business
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Andres Lopez cuts heavy iron with a torch. Some materials require a torch cutter when they are too thick.
Comal Iron & Metals uses a crane to place metals into their bailer. These metals are then crushed into bales weighing anywhere between 800 1,200 lbs and are put through a giant shredder that separates nonferrous and ferrous metals.
PHOTOS BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Recycling is a family tradition at Comal Iron & Metals Pasqual Rodriguez founded Comal Iron & Metals in 1969 after stepping away from a job where the owner refused to increase his pay to $1 an hour. The backstory Rodriguez drove his truck across South Texas the family’s legacy, and they did. A closer look
From left, Johnnie Jr., Marcela and Roger Rodriguez stand together at the recycling site.
Comal Iron & Metals specializes in recycling ferrous and nonferrous metals that do not go in the blue bin. “For example, if your washing machine stops working, it ends up at a recycling center like us. So washing machines, dryers, water heaters, vehi- cles—anything that’s metal—we can recycle,” CEO Marcela Rodriguez said. While others see scraps of metal, the Rodriguez family sees hope, possibility and new beginnings. “All metal is recyclable; just because it’s not of use to you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value,” Marcela said.
collecting metal while his wife, Rosie, worked in a small building in front of their home buying metal and raising their kids. Three years later Rodriguez died, and Rosie asked her eldest son Johnnie if he wanted to run the business. Johnnie and his soon-to-be wife, MaryAnn, joined and helped move the company forward. In 2005, MaryAnn died of cancer and history repeated itself—Johnnie asked their two sons, Johnnie Jr. and Roger, if they wanted to continue
1102
306
N
830-625-4920 www.comalironandmetals.com
22
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook