Until late afternoon on May 22nd it was electronics equipment–computers, TV sets, microwave ovens  and the like.  Now it’s junk.

A recycling company in eastern Missouri is hauling off Joplin’s electronic debris by the truckload at no cost to the city.  So far, seven tractor-trailer loads averaging fifteen to twenty thousand pounds per load have arrived at the MRC Recycling facility in Park Hills and the company doesn’t look for a letup through the summer.

MRC is a state-certified electronics recycler.

Owner Tony Krieg says the company is shredding every computer hard drive it gets.  He says it’s a way to keep people who have lost their homes from also losing their identities to people who might find their hard drives. 

Krieg’s company has been recycling equipment from Chrysler’s Fenton plants since last summer. But this project is so big Krieg has hired three more fulltime employees and several part-timers who might become permanent employees later.

 Listen to interview with Tony Krieg approx 13:00 mp3