Get to know: Jason Farley
Farley Recycling
Words by Anna Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter
In downtown Jasper sits a yard full of old cars, appliances, and aluminum cans. The place might look a bit intimidating– some might say they have no clue what it’s for– but what goes on here is not only good for business, it’s good for the environment.
Farley Recycling has been one of Jasper’s thriving businesses since the late 1990s. Now a full-service recycling center that services manufacturers, municipalities, and individuals in their efforts to recycle metal, the business was founded in 1998 when Darrel Farley and his wife, Carmen, had the desire to provide a service of which this community was in need.
Today, Farley Recycling is in good hands under the leadership of Darrel and Carmen’s son, Jason, who has been learning the ins and outs of the family business since his teenage years and running the day-to-day operations for the last 10 years.
“I enjoyed working for the family business, and the challenge it presented,” says Jason, a native of Arley, Alabama. “I learned every aspect of the industry, how to buy and sell and understand market trends and commodities.”
The business has grown and changed over the years, but its original purpose has not. Jason and his crew recycle around 500 tons of various metals— including alloys, ferrous, and nonferrous types—per month. The material is eventually processed, segregated, and readied to ship.
By recycling these metals, Jason services both the community and the environment. “Recycling metal is good for the environment because it conserves natural resources, reduces energy usage, decreases the need for mining and production, and reduces waste in landfills,” says Jason. “The recycling process also helps to maintain the quality and supply of resources, providing a sustainable solution to meet the demands of society.”
Jason has almost always had the family business in mind while on his life and career journey. After graduating from Meek High School in Arley, Jason kept his options open and pursued a college education. He first completed his prerequisites at Bevill State Community College and went on to earn a degree from the University of North Alabama (UNA) in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. However, he soon found himself back in Jasper working at the recycling center.
Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and children and attending Desperation Church in Jasper and Cullman.
“I love being able to service people in Jasper and the surrounding counties,” Jason says. “And Farley Recycling is proud to call Jasper home.” 78
Farley Recycling is located at 507 20th Street West, Jasper, AL 35501 and is open to both public and corporate clients.