Harry Harir, Midwest Regional Manager, Appliance Recycling Centers of America
“The best job I’ve ever had”
As the Midwest regional manager for the Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA), Harry Harir is responsible for coordinating the pickup, disassembly and recycling of thousands of old refrigerators every year. The job requires an incredible amount of organizational, logistical and people skills, but Harry doesn’t seem to sweat it.
“Since we started talking, I’ve gotten about 15–20 calls,” Harry chuckles, less than 10 minutes into our conversation. “It’s a big job, but it’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
For a man who works so efficiently, it’s fitting that he is employed for a company that helps people get rid of their old, inefficient fridges and replace them with newer efficient models. The new Milwaukee facility that Harry helped launch processes about 400 old refrigerators each week. Everyone that turns in an old fridge gets a $35 rebate from Focus on Energy — the state’s energy efficiency program implementer — toward the purchase a new efficient fridge. Harry estimates his team will pick up and recycle about 13,000 fridges this year in Wisconsin alone.
“As I tell my drivers, it’s a win-win for everyone. You are happy because you are getting paid, the customer is happy because they are going to save money on a new fridge, the utilities are happy because they don’t have to produce as much energy, and the environment is happy with less emissions from power plants.”
What makes Harry happy is interacting with his team and customers. He travels all around the Midwest checking in on his drivers, facility managers, and the customers they serve. He says for many customers, a refrigerator is not just an appliance — it is part of their lives and history.
“There is story behind every fridge,” said Harry, like the woman who turned in her 1950s pink Hotpoint refrigerator that she received as a gift on her wedding day. When he heard her story, Harry couldn’t bring himself to recycle it. “I still have the unit, it is a piece of art.”
While his job is based in Milwaukee and requires traveling all over the region, Harry’s home is actually in Hopkins, Minnesota, where he lives with his wife and three young children, ages 1, 3 and 5. His oldest just started kindergarten last year. He spends most weekends at home, and during the week stays in hotels.
“When I am home, I enjoy every second with my wife and kids. They are the whole reason why I wake up every day,” he said.
Although it is hard to be away from home so much, he still loves his job and the benefits it brings his family. “This job helps a lot. It puts food on the table, and we were able to buy our home recently.”
“Plus, no matter how hard a day I’ve had or how much I miss my family, I end the day feeling great knowing I’m making a difference and building a better future for my kids and future grandchildren.”
