Omar Malic has been a St. Petersburg resident since 2014 and currently works full-time at a roofing company. He also decided to launch his own junk removal business, OVM Hauling Co., a few months ago.<\/p>\n
Malic announced Monday on social media that the organization will begin recycling and donating some objects collected during projects. For the entrepreneur, it\u2019s a way to make a positive impact on the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the beginning, I knew I wanted my business to be about more than simply hauling away unwanted items,\u201d he explained. \u201cAfter completing several jobs, I noticed how many perfectly usable items were ending up in the landfill.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goal is to partner with local churches, charities and community organizations to help find new homes for items such as furniture, household goods and appliances whenever possible,\u201d Malic continued.<\/p>\n
Since launching the business, he has made some donations to the Salvation Army. The Monday social media post has led to conversations with potential partners as well. Malic emphasized that things \u201cmust be in decent to good condition.\u201d Additionally, \u201csome places won\u2019t take items if they\u2019re not able to reuse them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to entering the roofing and junk removal industries, Malic was a barber for about 20 years. He even took mission trips to Ecuador, where he had the opportunity to cut hair for people.<\/p>\n
Once Malic moved to St. Petersburg, he connected with a local recovery center and volunteered with the organization, providing free haircuts to residents. This had a \u201chuge impact\u201d on Malic. More so, it reinforced the idea that \u201cgiving back to the community should be part of everything I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Malic, there was no better time to introduce the donation concept.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s that need in the community,\u201d he said. \u201cI know right now there\u2019s a lot going on with just the cost of everything. People can\u2019t afford to just go out and buy new stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
The goal is to be a \u201cmiddle man,\u201d Malic added. This can make it easier for customers. Many individuals, if they are moving, do not have a chance to recycle former belongings.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, it\u2019s still a business, and there are real operating costs involved, including fuel, insurance, equipment maintenance, labor and disposal fees,\u201d Malic said. \u201cBut instead of automatically throwing everything away, I try to give as many items as possible a second life while continuing to serve the community that has given so much to me.\u201d<\/p>\n