In 1978 Bob and Claudia Conroy started an independent silver recycling business recovering silver nitrate from photographic and X-ray film. Once reclaimed they would send it to refiners to recycle the silver nitrate further.

In 1983 they decided to refine the silver nitrate themselves and started refining and smelting the silver into bullion form. Also, they refined the silver slug off of the electrolytic machines in dark rooms and hospital.  They were able to turn the slug into bars and make 98%–99% pure silver, which ensured them receiving top dollar when selling it to be refined further.

A friend, who was in the scrap metal business as well as silver refining, recommended they open a scrap metal yard in addition to the silver refining.  Since Bob had a construction background, they started the aluminum recycling part of their business by visiting job sites looking for scrap aluminum siding.  Bob started picking up siding at smaller housing projects, weighed and paid for the material on the spot.  It was convenient for the siders and helped Bob establish himself as a convenient, fair and friendly scrap man.

After achieving success with their one man –one truck operation, Bob & Claudia opened their first buy-back center in Palatine in 1987. They spread the word that they had a drop-off location and would pay a higher price for siding that was brought to them.  The Palatine facility’s name was American Aluminum Recycling. Siding and aluminum cans became a big focus of the business so they added recycling copper and brass as well.  Soon, American Aluminum Recycling became a full-service, non-ferrous recycling facility.

Early on, the Conroy’s were interested in educating the youth about recycling and working within the community. They set up a recycling program at their children’s grade school for recycling aluminum cans and donated all the proceeds to the school’s learning center. Participating in the community is still a focus of the company today with educational tours, classroom visits, recycling programs and more.

As the business grew, Bob and Claudia decided to expand and purchased a building in Elgin under the name Elgin Recycling. After opening in 1993, their Elgin facility soon became their most profitable location and the company’s main office. Over time Bob and Claudia decided to expand their business in Crystal Lake by opening Crystal Lake Recycling in 2005.

Shortly thereafter, they bought a truck with a few roll-off-trailers and ventured into the ferrous side of the business.

As the times were changing in the world, Elgin Recycling realized there is a greater need for recycling than just ferrous and non-ferrous metals. In 2006, Elgin Recycling expanded its’ metals operation into the electronics, plastic, paper and cardboard industries. As technology becomes increasingly important in today’s world, Elgin Recycling felt it was their responsibility to play a part in recycling any e-waste that could come their way.

Their first website went live in 2008 and change was on the horizon. The business had outgrown the Elgin facility and needed to establish new roots. The decision became clear to purchase another facility that would become their main office, steel yard and main processing facility in Gilberts, IL in 2009.   They moved in quickly and with markets at an all-time high, Elgin Recycling saw an opportunity to expand its ferrous option a block away in Gilberts.  Now there are five full-service locations within the Chicagoland area. Elgin Recycling services customers nationally.  They started as a small family-owned business that cared about their customers and employees and remain the same family-owned business with equal values today.

To learn more, visit their website:  https://www.elginrecycling.com.