The backstory
Rodriguez drove his truck across South Texas 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 from a heart attack, and Rosie turned to her eldest son, Johnnie, and asked 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 the family’s legacy, and they did.
A closer look
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, vehicles—anything that’s metal—we can recycle,” CEO Marcela Rodriguez said.
Ferrous metals are items that contain iron and are magnetic such as steel turnings, food cans, bicycles, appliances, tin and iron. Nonferrous metals do not contain iron and are not magnetic such as aluminum, brass, batteries, soft lead and copper.
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. "It’s not about what it was, it’s about what it can be ... so that washing machine, that water heater, can now become part of a car,” Marcela said.
How it works
The Texas Department of Public Safety regulates all metal recycling entities, or MREs, and certain metal materials may require a:
- State Driver’s License or I.D. number
- Address to mail a cash card
- Photo for a new cash card
- Fingerprint
- Signature
The impact
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. 4 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon.
*Closed for lunch from noon-1 p.m.
830-625-4920 www.comalironandmetals.com
