Yellowknife (Nov 10/06) - A well-known recycling advocate is leaving Yellowknife to follow a calling that dates back to his high school years.

Clayton Morrell, the former owner of Yellowknife Recycling Services, is leaving town in the next few months to pursue a career in the Canadian Navy.

"I have three kids, it's coming up on a time when I need a career and not just a job," said Morrell.

It was only a few weeks ago that he got a chance to see what his new life will entail aboard two ships: the HMCS Winnipeg and the HMCS Yellowknife.

Morrell, a Yellowknife resident for seven years, will take basic training near Montreal and then officer training in Victoria, B.C.

"I'll get to skip the next three winters," he laughed.

He operated his business for over three years.

With a bachelor of science degree in environmental studies, his plan was to offer curbside recycling to residents and commercial businesses.

Residents put out a marked recycling box on a designated day to have the materials picked up and dropped off at a recycling depot.

Knowing he would be leaving soon, Morrell decided to let the majority of recycling contracts expire to make sure he wouldn't run into debt if Yellowknife Recycling Services couldn't be sold.

Morrell said he actually sold his business by accident after having several offers fall through because the interested parties couldn't come through with the cash.

"I was making my last pick up at NACC (Northern Arts and Cultural Centre) when I ran into Ben Nind," said Morrell.

After telling Nind about his troubles selling the business last month, Morrell said Nind replied, "'If nobody's bought your business by the end of the week, I'll buy it.'"

"I said, 'Let's see it on paper,'" recalled Morrell.

And that's how Nind and Jeff Pitre became business partners and owners last week.

Morrell said he has full confidence the business, which had between 130 to 140 residential, commercial and government contracts, will grow under the new owners' leadership.

"The way they're talking, they could challenge the Kavanaugh Brothers for municipal contracts in a couple years," he said.

When asked how much the business sold for, Morrell wouldn't comment.

Morrell's wife and children will be moving with him.