DATE: Monday, April 14, 1997                TAG: 9704110815

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: Service Q & A 

SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   59 lines

100 YEARS AND COUNTING: FAMILY HAS LONG HISTORY IN RECYCLING BIZ

Michael Benedetto's family has been in the recycling business for a century. In 1897, his great grandfather went around the streets of New York City with a cart, collecting rags and newspapers. Benedetto's parents, Joseph and Susann, opened Tidewater Fibre Corp. in Chesapeake in 1973 and Econo Disposal in 1981. Michael Benedetto started working summers at the Chesapeake operation when he was just 11 years old, earning $5 a week. He became a full-time employee in 1987 and has been vice president for the past four years.

What services does the company provide?

We pick up and process commercial and residential trash and recyclables. We have grown to be the largest locally owned and operated recycling company in the region. We perform a vast array of recycling and waste removal services throughout Hampton Roads. We started processing curbside recyclables with SPSA, then expanded last year into Newport News and were recently selected to perform recycling services for Virginia Beach. (Service for Virginia Beach will begin in August.)

How does your business differ from your competitors'?

We stress recycling and not landfilling. We have markets, and if we can recycle we will. Some of the large national companies in the area own and operate landfills, and their incentive is to bring the material to their landfill. Our incentive is to recycle it. Plus, we're a family organization, which means we offer more personalized service and the money stays in the local economy.

Why did you want to stay in the family business?

I'm helping the environment, saving natural resources and performing a valuable service to the business and residential community of Hampton Roads.

How many employees do you have?

We employ over 100 and expect to add an additional 25 to 30 this summer. We opened a 34,000-square-foot recycling operation in Newport News last November and will increase in Chesapeake to over 85,000 square feet.

What problems have you encountered?

The recycling market is an up-and-down commodity market. There are businesses that have come and gone. Before choosing a recycling company, visit their operation, check references and find out how long they have been in business.

What about rewarding experiences?

The rewards come from working for a family business. I feel lucky because I've been able to spend as much time as I have with my parents.

What advice can you give to someone wanting to run a business?

Offer better service than your competition. Do what you love to do. Hire talented people and let them do their job.

How has recycling changed from the time your great grandfather started?

More materials are being recycled due to higher disposal costs. Recycling technology and ability have certainly improved in the past 100 years. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Michael Benedetto KEYWORDS: RECYCLING

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