Monroe Small Business Spotlight: Residential Waste Systems RWS

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

• Business: Residential Waste Systems RWS
• Owners: John Bria (Monroe Resident for 16 years)
• Website: www.ResidentialWasteSystems.com
• Address: PO Box 121 Monroe CT 06468

How did you come up with the name?

We wanted a name that simply described the service. My daughter Barbara who attended Masuk was actually the one who ended up coming up with the name we chose.

Why start a business in this town?

I saw an opportunity to start a business in the town I raised my family in. It is a great town with great people and we figured it would be a great place to start a business.

What business are you in?

Trash and recycling.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The business is now 13 years old, the first 7 were tough. It is an expensive business to be in. Any business with trucks is expensive and believe it or not the carts provided to residents are a big cost to maintain.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

Converting the Town of Monroe to large recycling carts and seeing a 20-25% increase in the town’s recycling over the past year. All this additional recycling used to be thrown away as trash. We passed out carts, handed out literature and the residents did the rest. The people believe in the system and the system is working. Last year Monroe residents recycled an additional 350 tons. That 350 tons used to go into the trash because it didn’t fit in the small blue bin.

How does your business give back to the community?

We started providing a scholarship to a Masuk Senior (money towards books for college or whatever they may choose). Anyone who wishes to apply fills out a resume and writes an essay. We had about 50 applicants this year for the scholarship. We also have done a food drive for the Monroe Food Pantry where we actually go house to house and pick up food and drop it off at the Pantry. We are working on making this a yearly service we will offer.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.