Pflugerville couple starts recyclying company focused on electronics

From recycling computers and empty toner cartridges for businesses to helping people move out of their homes by recycling papers stacked in their garages Plew said the business is equipped to meet a variety of recycling needs.

"We take it one job at a time," he said.

Little Miss Recycle co-owners Erik and Michelle Plew said they have known each other since they were high school classmates in Coahoma, Texas.

Erik and Michelle started Little Miss Recycle out of their Pflugerville home in 2011. Though the couple had thought for years about starting their own business, they acted on their idea after Erik was laid off from his job.

Little Miss Recycle started by focusing on recycling empty toner cartridges. In those first months in business, the couple, in addition to their teenage son, went door-to-door to businesses to seek clients.

"We would sometimes get shown out by security; it wasn't always fun," Michelle said.

Erik said the business no longer has to solicit door-to-door, as Little Miss Recycle has built up a solid client list and gets a good percentage of its business from referrals.

Erik said the majority of Little Miss Recycle's business now comes from recycling computers and computer-related gear. Little Miss Recycle will come to a business, and, sometimes for free, pick up computers, laptops, servers or other related equipment a business no longer needs.

Erik said the business plays to their strengths, with Michelle in charge of the marketing while he oversees other parts of the business.

"We both get to do what we enjoy doing," he said.

The name of the business is a reference to Michelle's enthusiasm for recycling, or, as Erik refers to her: "Little Miss Recycle."

Little Miss Recycle recently started offering a single-stream recycling program, which is the term for the more traditional recycling of paper, plastic and glass.

Electronics recycling is a growing industry nationwide. A report from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. states the electronics recycling industry contributes $20.6 billion to the economy annually. According to the report, the U.S. electronics recycling industry also employs more than 45,000 people. Electronic recyclers make their money by repairing, refurbishing and reselling functioning electronics equipment as used products.

"We want to help people out because we enjoy what we do," he said.

512-535-6441, www.littlemissrecycle.com