High Price for Metal Prompts Farmers to Recycle Equipment

Area farmers are taking advantage of the high price of metal by recycling old, unused pieces of equipment at Jim Brinker Recycling Inc.

Roger Langendoerfer, who is a business partner with Jim Brinker for the recycling operation, said he has noticed an increase in farm equipment being recycled.

“Since the price (of metal)is so high, a lot of stuff has been coming in,” Langendoerfer said. “Now it’s feasible to clean up because of the price.”

He said the benefits are threefold — farmers can clean up their properties, get cash for recycling and help improve the environment.

“A lot of it is horse-drawn equipment,” Langendoerfer explained about the type of items being accepted. Most of the equipment is made of iron.

He said one farmer came in with his grandson who cleaned out a spot on their farm and received about $900 for recycling the metal they found.

In addition, many property owners are buying the old farm equipment to use as lawn decorations and blacksmith hobbyists have bought malleable iron to be used for their projects.

Other farmers have purchased pieces of equipment being recycled to fix up their existing equipment.

Langendoerfer noted, too, that it’s not just farm equipment that gets reused. Old appliances, such as refrigerators and bathtubs are being recycled and resold.

Jim Brinker Recycling Inc. is located at 1801 W. Main St., in the Feltmann Industrial Park in the west part of Washington.

The business is open six days a week — Mondays through Saturdays. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.