October 19, 2024 – Sandwich, Illinois – The Illinois Recycling Foundation (IRF) hosted an exclusive tour of Fortune Metals, a leader in the telecommunications recycling industry. The tour, organized by Events Committee Chair Barb Day, offered members a behind-the-scenes look at the sophisticated processes Fortune Metals employs to recycle high-value materials like copper, lead, and telecommunications equipment.
In an interview, IRF President Clair Ryan shared her reflections on the event, emphasizing the importance of understanding the critical role Fortune Metals plays in recycling telecommunications infrastructure.
“I didn’t really know what to expect at first because I wasn’t entirely sure what Fortune Metals does,” Ryan admitted. “But after the tour, it became clear that they’re a specialty recycler, primarily serving the telecommunications industry. With advancements in technology, there’s a constant need to replace older infrastructure. These companies are often under pressure to adhere to green guidelines or comply with solid waste laws like RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), which makes recycling essential for them.”
Telecommunications wire being prepared for recycling.
Fortune Metals provides services to extract value from outdated materials, particularly copper wiring, which Ryan noted is a commodity in today’s recycling market. “It doesn’t make sense to throw copper wire in the trash,” she explained. “The process Fortune Metals follows allows them to take what would be waste and turn it into marketable materials. They use a variety of methods to disassemble complex equipment, extract valuable components like copper, plastic, and batteries, and then return value to their customers. Most clients end up with a net-positive outcome, meaning they actually earn money from their old equipment.”
Telecommunications wire being prepared for recycling.
The tour included a demonstration of some of the machinery used to prepare materials for resale, such as a device that “de-gloves” copper wire, removing the plastic coating and grinding the copper into fragments, which can then be sold as a commodity. Ryan noted that the price for copper currently hovers around $4 per pound, making even a small container of ground copper worth significant money.
Another highlight of the tour was the demonstration of the recycling process for telecommunications wire, which Fortune Metals bales for sale. “The telecommunication wire looked almost like unicorn hair, it was so colorful,” Ryan said, recalling the unique visual impact of the baled material.
Presorted Dumpster Contents
Fortune Metals doesn’t just focus on metals; they also recycle plastics, such as PVC squirrel baffles, used to protect telecommunications lines from wildlife. Ryan explained that PVC is a toxic plastic, often difficult to recycle, but Fortune Metals has a system in place to grind it and sell it to companies that make new PVC products.
“The process at Fortune Metals really drives home the point that recycling isn’t just about throwing things into a bin and hoping for the best. It’s a deliberate, detailed effort to recover as much valuable material as possible,” Ryan said. “Getting a firsthand look at how items like electronics and telecommunications materials are broken down was eye-opening.”
Ryan stressed the importance of recycling specialized materials like electronics, which often contain precious metals such as gold, silver, and palladium. “These metals make it economically viable to disassemble the items almost surgically, ensuring that the highest value components are recovered.”
In her capacity as IRF President, Ryan reflected on the significance of having a company like Fortune Metals in Illinois. “Although they’re a national company, keeping recycling local is crucial. Freight is expensive, so whenever materials can be processed and sold locally, everyone benefits—from Fortune Metals to their clients to the environment.”
For the Illinois Recycling Foundation, tours like this one are an important member benefit. “IRF represents all recyclers in Illinois, from those working with residents on household goods to companies like Fortune Metals, which specialize in industry-specific materials. By bringing members together, we can foster connections that help both sectors of the recycling industry thrive.”
Ryan concluded by expressing her pride in leading an organization that facilitates such valuable insights into the recycling world. “It’s an honor when companies like Fortune Metals pull back the curtain and show us how they’re contributing to a more sustainable future. This tour reinforced how vital specialized recycling is, and I’m proud that IRF plays a role in connecting and promoting these efforts.”
The Fortune Metals tour offered IRF members a unique perspective on the telecommunications recycling process, underscoring the complexity and importance of recycling in today’s world. With continued collaboration and innovation, Illinois remains at the forefront of sustainable recycling practices.
R2V3 Secure Area for Data Recycling
PVC Grinder
Ground Copper
Separated PVC Squirrel Baffles
PVC for Grinding
IRF Members on the Group Tour
