Arthrex Manufacturing Inc. East’s (AMIE) tungsten carbide recycling program continues to aid women and children in and around Collier County, Florida. Tungsten carbide, which is used in many of Arthrex’s metal cutting tools such as drills, endmills and saws, is denser than steel and can operate at higher cutting speeds than other metals including high-speed steel. Tungsten carbide is also consistently among the most valuable scrap metals.
“I monitor the current price of scrap carbide, which was most recently around $8.50 per pound, and when we have two or three drums full, I arrange to have it shipped to our recycling partners,” said Lead Manufacturing Supervisor Steve Dyal.
For comparison, high-speed steel, which AMIE also recycles, pays between 15 and 40 cents per pound.
“We started the carbide recycling project in 2020, after discovering that carbide was being mixed in with other raw material scrap,” Steve said. “I knew there was potential for the money we received from that project to make a real impact.”
The decision was ultimately made to donate the money from the tungsten carbide recycling project to two local organizations – Youth Haven and the Shelly Stayer Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence.
The Shelly Stayer Shelter is one of two facilities in Southwest Florida operated by The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Located in Immokalee, the Shelly Stayer Shelter is a 60-bed emergency shelter serving victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, with all programs and services provided at no cost to individuals in need.
Youth Haven, based in Naples, has a mission of providing home, hope and healing to abused and neglected children and teens in Southwest Florida.
At first, it was primarily the Swiss CNC department that was participating in the program, but now all of Arthrex Manufacturing Inc. East (AMIE) is involved. The collection drums, each of which holds between 500 and 600 pounds of carbide scrap, are stored in the Tool Crib, where Tooling Supervisor Lewis Estes and his team ensure the carbide is properly sorted.
The most recent check from the carbide recycling company, received in mid-July, totaled $13,988. That money was once again divided between the Shelly Stayer Shelter and Youth Haven, bringing Arthrex’s total recycled-carbide donations to those two organizations to nearly $50,000.
In a letter of thanks to the AMIE team, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children’s Chief Executive Officer Linda Oberhaus thanked Arthrex for, not only its most recent donation, but for its ongoing support.
“Your commitment goes beyond financial support; it embodies empathy, compassion and a dedication to making our community a safer place for all. Your kindness and generosity ripple through our organization, uplifting both staff and the survivors we serve.”
Youth Haven’s CEO Linda Goldfield also thanked Arthrex, saying, "Arthrex's generous support has been instrumental in transforming the lives of vulnerable children and teens in our community. Your commitment ensures that Youth Haven can continue to provide a safe haven and essential resources for those who need it most. Together, we are giving these young lives the opportunity to heal, grow and thrive."
Steve commended the efforts of everyone at AMIE for their contributions and commitment to this worthwhile initiative.
"Our carbide recycling program has truly been a successful endeavor that has helped many people in our neighboring communities,” he said. “I am so thankful to work with an organization that puts its employees and community first. This is a great demonstration of what Arthrex Proud is all about.”