We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryan Hickman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ryan, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My dad took me to the recycling center for the first time when I was about three and a half years old. I thought it was really fun. Around that time, we also started going to the beach and spending an hour walking around picking up tiny pieces of trash from the sand. I thought it was fun and I saw it was making a difference to help the planet.
Since then (11 years ago), I’ve continued recycling every day and in a few months, I will have recycled a total of 2 million cans and bottles. We go nearly every weekend to clean the beach so I’d estimate I’ve done roughly 400 beach clean ups. I’ve never been shy about speaking to people so along the way, I’ve tried my best to inspire people to take care of the planet by picking up trash and recycling what they can.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My story went viral in December of 2016 and hundreds of millions of people saw my recycling videos. I was featured on many tv programs and in lots of books and magazines. It’s been really cool to inspire others to do what they can to make a difference with taking care of our environment. I’ve traveled all over the world speaking to kids about taking small steps to make the world a better place and I lead environmental clean up events with my nonprofit, Project3R.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our Partners for the Planet programs with Project3R. Our team of educators teach kids in classrooms and on field trips to the ocean about the effects of plastic pollution. We’re getting more people attending our community beach clean ups and we’ve got big plans this year for a multi beach clean up event stretching from Mexico to Los Angeles!
In addition, I enjoy supporting my friends at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. They rescue injured sea mammals like seals and sea lions and I donate proceeds from all of my Ryan’s Recycling branded merchandise on my web site to support them. We’ve been able to really make a difference with their organization in terms of helping wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I always tell the audience at my speaking events that you don’t have to do big things right from the start to make a difference. I started by just picking up cans and bottles and asking neighbors in my neighborhood to recycle with me instead of throwing items away where it ends up in the landfill. I went to the beach with my parents with a bucket and picked up trash. I tell everyone to take baby steps. It can lead to big results.
I also encourage everyone to not get discouraged if something doesn’t go quite as planned. Try to figure out a way around that obstacle to keep moving forward and it will make you stronger. Ask for help and help others with their journey. I wouldn’t be where I am without my mom and dad’s support.
Also, I tell people to keep focused on what they are passionate about. You never know who might be inspired by your actions or where your efforts may lead you. I just wanted to make a difference in my neighborhood and it’s turned into something much bigger. I’m only 14. If I can follow my dreams, you can too.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents have always supported me from the very beginning. I think the most impactful thing for me was having my dad spend every single weekend over the past 11 years driving me around to pick up recyclable items from people who called me in our county and driving me to the beach to do beach clean ups. As I get older, I’m able to now do more things that they helped me with when I was younger but I will always need their help.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ryansrecycling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryans_recycling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryansrecycling
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hickman-aa79302b4/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryans_recycling
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RyanHickmanRecycling
