I’m the founder of a newly formed LLC in Illinois, a recycling and repurposing business born from both necessity and legacy.
My father, Frank, spent his life hunting for treasures in what most people called “junk.” He dove into dumpsters, combed parking lots for pennies, scoured auctions and estate sales, and filled shelves with glassware, curiosities, and broken bits with hidden beauty. As a kid, I used to cringe, embarrassed by his oddities. But after he passed—and after walking through some of the darkest times of my life—I finally understood what he saw: possibility. I inherited a few old trailers he left behind and my initial plan was to scrap them out. But as I began sorting the contents, I realized they were full of his treasures—vintage glassware-depression glass, carnival glass, milk glass, art glass-as well as antique tools, old vintage chainsaws, countless collectible items and repurposable materials, old computers and electronics, a very old jukebox, and the coolest pharmaceutical triple beam scales from the late 1930’s. Turns out my dad was far more knowledgeable and interesting than I ever gave him credit for and I wish he would have been here still to see the transformation I underwent out in those trailers.
That’s when I inherited the passion for treasures and this idea was born—not just as a business, but as a mission to honor his spirit: a spirit to rescue, restore, and rehome discarded objects.
Every year, the U.S. sends over 146 million tons of waste to landfills. According to a study done by the EPA, 75% of waste in the US could be reused or recycled. Furniture, textiles, glassware, electronics, and clothing often end up buried instead of reborn. If even small community projects like mine diverted just .01% of that waste, we could keep 14,600 tons of usable material out of landfills each year—reducing emissions, saving energy, and creating local jobs.
That’s what I’m trying to do here in Illinois.
My goal is to create a local reuse and recycling hub that:
- Sorts and cleans usable goods saved from the landfill
- Refurbishes items to original condition (or close to it)
- Creates jobs with profit sharing
- Sells reusable items locally and online
- Recycles recyclable materials (metals, precious metals, electronics, aluminum, plastic, glass, cardboard and compost) at local recycling centers and scrapyards.
- Offers pickups for unwanted but usable items
- Donates time, materials and money toward educating the public about waste and creating a circular economy
- Gives back to the community. We have committed to donating 10% of our e-commerce sales. Once our business is stable, we will raise that percentage.
- Aims to standardize a circular economy system
- Create a community compost garden where locals can bring compostables in exchange for fresh veggies, fresh herbs, or quality potting soil.
- Inspires others to rethink what they throw away
- Makes trash look good ;)
I’ve registered my business with the state already, but I’m seeking donations to help cover essential startup costs such as vehicle maintenance, sorting materials, cleaning equipment, tools, personal protective equipment, gasoline, and essential marketing materials—The market is huge. And ripe. Startup money could put us ahead years, at the forefront of a movement that will eventually become the global standard.
Even a small contribution helps move this mission forward.
This isn’t just a business; it’s a legacy—for my dad, Frank, and for everyone who ever saw something beautiful in the broken.
Thank you for reading, sharing, and believing in second chances—for materials, for people, and for the planet.
*-BeautifullyBrokenInIllinois –
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