Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Fisher.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Is Entrepreneurship ever a smooth road?! Ha! Our biggest challenge came 15 years into our business when our County Government began to offer our services for free! Our model was based on a commercial collection that did not exist. We based it on the frequency of collections (6 days a week) and offering a service that was unique and embraced. Then, the County aimed to increase its recycling volume and began to offer a “free” service to the commercial sector. Though, not as frequent or as customer service-based, it was a significant impact on our client base.
We have prided ourselves on our adaptability to market demands and that is how GlassEco Surfaces was born. We created a market where there was none for recycled glass countertops. Everything is made locally in Charleston!
We collect the glass from restaurants and hotels, we source a small portion of that glass for our countertops and other surfaces and the rest of the tonnage goes to a glass recycling plant in Beaufort SC! All glass is 100% recycled in SC! Something that no other waste hauler, private or public, in the state can say!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Fisher Recycling is a commercial recycling collection service for hotels, restaurants and offices in the Charleston tri-county area. We are the only waste hauler in the area that collects glass and recycles it properly. We offer a five-day-a-week curbside service. The glass that we collect is manufactured into recycled glass countertops and other surfaces in our warehouse in North Charleston. I am co-owner w/ my husband, Chris. I evolved into a WOSB throughout our 30 years in business. Beginning “back of the house” in Administrative duties while raising our son, then growing into more of a front of the house, owner role and time passed. Chris now is a General Manager of a glass recycling plant in Beaufort, SC. I am “all things” except a route driver and a warehouse manufacturer. Although, I can drive a forklift and love my “Shop Girl” days!
We specialize in glass recycling programs and office paper recycling programs that are tailored to each specific business. No two are the same, space restrictions,
The other specialty is actually the countertops. We are custom designers of the pieces, which is different from two of the largest competitors. Clients are also able to add their own sentimental pieces to their tops: shark’s teeth, sea glass, and metal keys.
We are proud of our longevity and staying true to our start – local, restaurant recycling and now making the material we collect into another sustainable product.
What’s next?
Our future plans would include upgraded equipment for our GlassEco Surfaces division and replacement wheeled carts for our recycling business. We are also launching Glass Only Drop Sites that would be accessible to the residential public. This is a first in Charleston and we are accepting sponsorships!
Pricing:
- $35-100/stop for customized recycling programs
- $100 per drop site
- $77/sq ft base price for countertops
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fisherrecycling.com | www.glassecosurfaces.com
- Instagram: @fisherrecycling | @glassecosurfaces
- Facebook: Fisher Recycling | GlassEcoSurfaces
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/glassecosurfaces
Image Credits:
Elizabeth Patrick Brickman (the blues countertop)
Ebony Ellis (the sink w the palm tree wallpaper)
