Did you know that precious metals refining helps protect the world’s waterways by reducing the need for newly-mined materials? Mining operations use large volumes of water, often creating pollution through runoff and heavy metal contamination. Recycling can mitigate these harms by decreasing the need for those water-intensive processes in the first place.
At Garfield Refining, we take pride in contributing to a more sustainable supply chain of precious metals by recycling gold, silver, platinum and palladium scrap.
Helping to offset the demand for traditionally extracted materials, which ultimately supports healthier waterways, is just one of the positive impacts of metal recycling.
But our impact doesn’t stop there – we’re also dedicated to protecting our local waterways right here in Philadelphia, where our refinery has been headquartered since 1892. That’s why we work with the TTF Watershed Partnership to keep our local creek clean.
Sustainability, Philly Style
Each year our team hosts a company-wide volunteer event to celebrate Earth Day, and it typically involves supporting local green spaces. This year we did a park clean-up, picking up trash and planting trees at Tacony Creek Park. This park is especially close to our hearts because it neighbors our refinery – one of the trailheads is a 4-minute walk away.
The 3.2-mile paved trail runs along Tacony Creek, and it’s particularly scenic this time of year. The air smells sweet and floral, wildflowers are in bloom and the stream gently flows beneath the banks. In addition to the paved trail, the woodlands and meadows that make up Tacony Creek Park provide a year-round habitat for over 100 different species of birds and other wildlife.
This year’s clean-up event was a success – we were shocked at how much trash we collected along the park’s trail. Plus, we planted six new trees – including Silver Maples, Red Oaks and Tulip Poplars – which will provide even more shelter and food for the animals. Double win!
Whether it’s a park restoration event or donating to local charities like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Garfield team enjoys staying involved in our community and giving back. Not only is volunteering together a great bonding activity, but it keeps us grounded and in touch with our company values – two of which are sustainability and charitable giving. We’re already looking forward to our next Earth Day event!
Written by
Allie BowmanAllie Bowman is the Content Lead at Garfield Refining, where she translates more than 130 years of precious metals expertise into clear, accurate, and practical content for individual sellers, dental professionals, jewelers, and collectors. A Dean's List graduate of the University of Delaware's Media Communication program, Allie has built her career around making complex subjects accessible to a broad audience. Her experience spans nutrition science, lifestyle magazine publishing, and precious metals refining, giving her a unique ability to transform technical information into engaging, trustworthy content. At Garfield, Allie brings editorial rigor and subject-matter expertise to every piece she produces. She works closely with Garfield's refining specialists and senior leadership to ensure that technical topics - from karat markings and assay methods to precious metals markets and spot price mechanics - are explained with both accuracy and clarity. Since joining Garfield's marketing team, Allie has written extensively on precious metals refining, dental scrap recovery, gold and silver bullion, estate and inherited jewelry, and industry-specific topics for dental and jewelry professionals. All content is reviewed by Garfield's leadership team prior to publication, ensuring it reflects the company's standards for accuracy, transparency, and industry expertise.
Reviewed by
Morgan KerrisseyMorgan Kerrissey is the President of Garfield Refining, one of North America's most longstanding and trusted precious metals refineries. For over two decades, Morgan has built his career at the intersection of commodities markets, metallurgy, and precious metals — earning a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable voices in the refining industry. Morgan joined Garfield in 2008, bringing rigorous operational discipline to a company built on exacting standards since 1892. Named President in 2014, he has guided Garfield through volatile gold, silver, and palladium markets, while modernizing its workforce and technologies and diversifying its metal supply chains. Under his leadership, Garfield has expanded its refining capabilities across the full lifecycle of precious metals recovery, entered new markets, and expanded services while maintaining the same customer forward approach that has made Garfield a mainstay for more than a century. From hedging strategy to daily refinery operations, Morgan commands high levels of technical depth and market fluency. Morgan grew up outside Boston, graduated from Harvard University, and has lived with his family in Philadelphia, PA for almost 20 years.