Photos by L. ParsonsRalph Milholland of Mobil Recycling was the overall winner at the Moonshot Pioneer Pitch event. Milholland (right) won $1,000 from Arizona Public Service and will attend an entrepreneur training course courtesy of Moonshot. Also pictured are (left to right) Moonshot President and CEO Scott Hathcock, Winslow Economic Development Director Una Wirkebau and Congressman Tom O’Halleran. Mobil Recycling is located in Winslow at 3907 Commuter Drive.
Photos by L. ParsonsRalph Milholland of Mobil Recycling was the overall winner at the Moonshot Pioneer Pitch event. Milholland (right) won $1,000 from Arizona Public Service and will attend an entrepreneur training course courtesy of Moonshot. Also pictured are (left to right) Moonshot President and CEO Scott Hathcock, Winslow Economic Development Director Una Wirkebau and Congressman Tom O’Halleran. Mobil Recycling is located in Winslow at 3907 Commuter Drive.

The first weekend of April was very eventful for entrepreneurs in Winslow. A two-day long networking and training seminar culminated in several business owners and creatives pitching their ideas to qualified judges for a prize.

The event, sponsored by Arizona Public Service (APS) and Moonshot, offered coaching for entrepreneurs hoping to deliver their pitches as well as several workshops and discussions by current small business owners. Attendees commented on the value of these workshops as they were on topics such as funding sources, small business support and overcoming adversity, among others.

Moonshot is an Arizona based non-profit organization whose mission is to help subject matter experts bring products and services to market and help cities develop entrepreneurial eco-systems that create jobs.

The Winslow area winner of the Pioneer Pitch event was chosen in part because his idea promises to bring jobs and opportunities to Winslow residents.

Ralph Milholland of Mobil Recycling was that winner. In his pitch, Milholland pointed out statistics for recycling that were staggering. He said, “Winslow has approximately 10,000 citizens. Assuming each one consumes one beverage in plastic or a can per day for a year, that is 3.6 million containers. In Winslow, only 15% to 20% of these containers are currently being recycled due to the lack of an active recycling program.”

Milholland went on to explain his plan for mitigating this situation. He intends to place large collection barrels near businesses and public places to reduce litter and recyclables ending up in landfills, waterways and roadsides. He also intends to employ Winslow residents as increased use of these barrels takes place.

Mobil Recycling will maintain and transport these containers and will pick up recyclable materials from homes as well. Freezers, refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, auto parts and some metals will also be accepted, according to Milholland.

The Moonshot event will help to jumpstart this endeavor for Milholland and he looks forward to learning all he can from the experts on the Moonshot team.

To contact Mobil Recycling to place a container at your business, or to schedule a time for a recyclable material pick up, call (928) 386-5826.