Recycle Ryan's Birthday Celebrated By Pacific Marine Mammal Center

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Ryan's Recycling sent a reminder of a simple home-task you can do before you toss your trash into recycling. This, and his other recycling tips are making Orange County a better place. And now, it's time to celebrate his birthday.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center sent out a birthday message to their favorite fan.

"Happy 8th Birthday to this amazing young philanthropist Ryan Hickman," The PMMC said over Facebook. "Ryan continues to inspire us every day to #reduce #reuse #recycle! And we could not be more proud or humble to be part of his journey."

On his birthday, Ryan asks you to pick up a bottle or can or two while you're out at the beach this weekend. And don't forget to recycle them, too.

Ryan Hickman, a youth from San Juan Capistrano, has been featured from local news outlets to appearances on "The Ellen Show" and "CNBC."

He started his recycling business at the age of 3-years-0ld. Five years later, things are still going strong.

"These things might be floating in the ocean, and a sea creature could come up inside and get stuck in them and die," Ryan said. "Because you cut it up, they won't die." That reminder is just one way that this junior philanthropist and businessman is making the world a better place.

His father, Damion, states that his son is a businessman involved in all aspects of Ryan's Recycling, of which he is president, the boy is also a well known Orange County entrepreneur.

Ryan Hickman is a junior ambassador at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and their brick with walkway bears a brick with his name. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center shared Ryan's message over Facebook and reminded all of the message. "We continue to be inspired by Ryan," they said.

"What I'm doing keeps bottles and cans out of the ocean, and that helps the environment," Ryan said. He is also selling T-Shirts and using the proceeds to save the seals and sea lions being rehabilitated at Laguna Beach's Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

Want to help Ryan's Recycling cause? Become a fan of his Facebook page, buy a shirt and save a seal (or a sea lion)!

"All proceeds from the shirts are donated to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center," Ryan said on his Facebook page, as ever, inviting all to start recycling, if you don't already.

He recycles glass, plastic any type of drink containers among other things.

Owning your own business "is easy," he says.

Now, at the ripe old age of 7, Ryan gets recycling from his neighbors and a plethora of Orange County area customers. He has made over $20,000 to date, which his parents say he needs to save for college but Ryan declares what he really wants is a garbage truck.

In one year, Ryan and his family took their obscure recycling operation and have hit the global market full force. Featured on the "Ellen" show, Ryan received a $10,000 check and a battery powered truck for his delivery route, along with the mega-star's thumbs-up of approval.

According to the company who manufactures Ryan's labels, Labeltronix, in a recent blog post:

"Ryan is passionate about keeping plastic, glass and aluminum out of the ecosystem. Labeltronix is proud to be one of the routine stops he and his dad make to pick up recyclables."

The company added that Damion Hickman, Ryan's "ultra-dedicated dad," is also their uber-talented graphic designer.

"I've saved over 200,000 bottles and cans," Ryan told CNBC. He has between 50 and 100 customers, but his hard work and determination has showed people worldwide what just one person can do.

"Good luck with recycling," he says with a smile, and his standard two-thumbs-up farewell.

What's next for this environmentally conscious 7-year-old? Ted Talks and continuing to save money for the sea life he loves.

According to IFL Science, the number of animals in the oceans affected by plastic rings could be as high as 100,000.

"It is hard to estimate exactly how many animals are affected by plastic in the oceans each year, though some have put the number as high as 100,000," they stated in a recent article. "While some groups are experimenting with large-scale devices to reduce the amount of marine debris, there currently isn’t anything in place. Until this desperately-needed solution comes, it is on all of us to reduce the amount of litter generated so that it does not end up in the mouths or around the necks of ocean animals."

With large scale solutions still waiting in limbo, this small scale practice could be a big leap toward protecting sea life.

Remember to snip those six pack holders. For the seals, sea lions and their buddy, Ryan.

Photo, Youtube Screenshot