Metal recycler expresses interest in Okanogan area location

Nick Tommer

MIKE MALTAIS/WARD MEDIA

PATEROS – Nick Tommer of Tommer Equipment in Ephrata addressed the Feb. 18 meeting of the city council to introduce his recycling business and express his interest in establishing a branch in Okanogan County. 

Currently, Tommer has sites in Moses Lake (52 years), East Wenatchee (12 years), and Othello (4 years). The sites accept many types of scrap metal, from cars to cans, and provide a place where people can sell their unwanted metal.

Tommer said that when the East Wenatchee site was being set up about 10-12 years ago, county officials sent out a letter advising potential users of the new recycling option. One went to the State Department of Ecology (DOE). He said DOE responded very favorably, noting that the business would provide an incentive for backyard cleanup and removal of other unsightly junk metal deposits from canyons and hillsides around the area.

Tommer said the Okanogan area operation would be comparable to the Othello site, which employs three to five people.

“We run a pretty clean operation,” said Tommer. “It generates money to a lot of different people.”

Tommer said it does not take long before people are making weekly trips to the center with loads of metal to supplement their income. Farmers are particularly dependable customers.

“If you have a house burned down there always stuff besides wood such as conduit, aluminum, copper,” said Tommer. “It’s a quick way to clean up.”

Councilmember Frank Herbert asked Tommer about a location.

“Do you have an idea where you would set up shop for something like that?” Herbert asked.

Tommer said he is still considering options but did refer to an earlier trip to the area about five years ago when he approached the Colville Tribes about locating his business in East Omak.

“I thought everyone was for me,” said Tommer, who even offered to hire tribal members for half of his workforce, 

At the public meeting, however, some tribal members opposed a center in East Omak, so the opportunity was shelved.

Tommer said the Waste Management dump near his East Wenatchee site does not accept any metal or cars. After paying to dispose of what Waste Management will accept, customers bring the rejected metal to Tommer’s center, and “we pay them,” Tommer said.

Every spring, his centers have a weekend when they bump up the price they pay for metal and set up a giveaway for military veterans or some other cause. 

“We hope to figure out where we are going to be this spring and go to work,” Tommer said.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media