Rebuild EcoCycle LLC after Fire: A Second Chance for Memphis

Local Recycling Company Tragically Lost to Fire.

Greetings all, our names are Greg Echols and Herman Mitchell. We are the founders of EcoCycle located in Memphis, TN and our sustainable recycling company needs your help. In the midnight hours of July 21, 2025, disaster struck. An unforeseen fire ripped through our facility destroying everything we had worked years to build in South Memphis. In a matter of hours we lost critical components of our 10 year old business. Our specialized equipment, processing building and structures as well as processed and unprocessed materials — everything we depended on to serve this community was destroyed overnight into the morning hours due to spontaneous combustion an unforeseen fire ripped through our facility destroying everything.

EcoCycle LLC isn’t just a first generation black owned business. It is a Memphian’s childhood dream, later founded by 2 longtime friends who care deeply about the planet, our neighborhoods, and the future. We started small—with a single truck and a deep belief that sustainable change starts in our own backyard. Over the years, we’ve grown into a trusted recycling service, working with families, schools, small and large businesses, as well as nonprofits across the city.

We’ve consistently helped keep millions of pounds of waste out of landfills. We’ve taught students the importance of environmental care. We’ve created jobs. We’ve given back to our community every step of the way.

It’s hard to put into words how devastating this loss is. But what we didn’t lose is our purpose—or our determination to rise again.

Although we are proud of what we’ve done, we’re heartbroken to see it all gone. However, we’re holding onto hope, and reaching out to the people who have supported us all along: our community.

Currently, we find ourselves at a crossroads, humbled and heartbroken, but not defeated. We are reaching out with open hearts, asking for your support to help us weather the storm with bridge funding.

Unfortunately, none of our processing buildings, which are critical for waste management processes, are covered under our insurance. Building from the ground up is a high cost financial obligation.

We’re launching this GoFundMe campaign to secure bridge funding while we navigate a long and complex insurance and rebuilding/recovery process.

Goal: $500,000

Here's exactly how your donations will help:

1. Temporary Operations – so we can continue servicing our community while our permanent site is restored.

2. Site Cleanup & Safety – Funds will help with debris removal, environmental inspections, and ensuring the area is safe and ready for rebuilding.

3. Retain and Support our employees and their families: Our team is our family. Your donations help provide emergency wages and job security while we stabilize operations. It’s important to us that we keep our team together during this transition.

4. Insurance Gaps – We expect gaps in coverage for costs and expenses in addition to the timely process.

5. Rebuilding of structures and buildings- insurance will not cover the cost of buildings destroyed that are used to process materials and waste.

We’re not asking for a handout. We’re asking for a hand up — to help us navigate something that serves more than just us. EcoCycle represents a vision for a cleaner, more sustainable Memphis, and we’re committed to that vision now more than ever.

Whether you donate $5 or $500, your support will be felt. If you can’t give, please consider sharing this campaign with friends, family, or businesses who care about the planet and about helping a local company recover.

Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for standing with us. And thank you for helping EcoCycle rebuild and rise again.

Why This Matters

For years, Eco Cycle LLC has been a trusted partner in keeping Memphis clean. We’ve collected thousands of pounds of recyclables, prevented countless items from ending up in landfills, and empowered the next generation through community education. We’ve stood alongside neighborhoods, schools, and local businesses who share our vision of a sustainable Memphis.

The fire didn’t just destroy equipment — it disrupted lives. Our dedicated team has lost their workplace and source of income overnight. The families behind this company need your help to keep going.

Worse still, our building was uninsurable. Multiple insurance carriers had declined coverage due to the condition of the roof, leaving us exposed and unprotected before we had the opportunity to replace the roof. We are now faced with the devastating reality of starting from zero.

This is a big challenge, but with your help, we can turn this heartbreaking setback into a powerful comeback. Every dollar brings us closer to recovery with each donation serving as a lifeline — a vote of confidence in a vision that is bigger than any one of us. Whether it’s $10 or $1,000, your support is an investment in something bigger: a cleaner, stronger, more sustainable Memphis. With your support, your kindness, and your belief in EcoCycle LLC we can rebuild, recover, replace and keep working toward a cleaner, healthier Memphis.

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you. Thank you for believing in us, standing with us, and helping EcoCycle LLC during this transitional period.

With hope and gratitude,

Greg Echols, Co-founder

Herman Mitchell, Co-founder

www.ecocylellc.com

IG: @ecocyclememphis

FB: @EcocycleLLC