In this eye-opening episode, discover how a simple shift in language can revolutionize perceptions. Join host John Sacco as he engages with communication expert Michael Maslansky, exploring the rebranding of the recycled materials industry. From redefining raw materials to spotlighting its vital role in iconic products, this conversation emphasizes both education and collaboration. Michael's insights guide listeners on embracing recycled materials' value, changing the narrative, and encouraging responsible disposal. With actionable advice, this episode ignites a movement to reshape public understanding and appreciation for the sustainable and essential world of recycled materials.

Ep. 77: Recycling Reimagined with Michael Maslansky

Host John Sacco sits down with the talented young minds of the ISRI 2023 JASON Learning Project. The winners – Barbie Lin, Ashvin Saini, Yaesung Kim, and Bailey Maltese – delve into their creative processes, motivations, and aspirations behind their designs. Although they’re already making huge strides in the world of recycling, we get to be all ears for what the next generation plans for their futures!

Ep. 76: Young Minds of Today with JASON Project Winners

Bill Sulak

We welcome Bill Sulak, the new president of Ferrous Processing and Trading (FPT), onto the podcast! John and Bill discuss Bill’s transition into the position and the compatibility between FPT and Cleveland Cliffs, highlighting the value placed on FPT's leadership and industry expertise. Sharing his leadership style and expressing his dedication to the industry, Bill outlines his commitment to developing and implementing a vision that maintains FTP’s leadership role and can strategically expand the company’s presence.

Ep. 75: A Perfect Fit with Bill Sulak

Bruce Blue, ISRI Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and President of Freedom Metals, Inc., joins the podcast at the 2023 ISRI National Convention to discuss the changes he’s witnessed in the recycling industry over the years and the importance of spreading awareness about the industry’s societal impact. By delving into a few personal experiences of his, he highlights how each experience has further reinforced his gratitude for life and his dedication to the betterment of ISRI.

Ep. 74: Life, Industry, and Legacy with Bruce Blue

Host John Sacco sits down with Michael and Lindy Levell of Lakeside Auto Recyclers at the 2023 National ISRI Convention, where they share their passion for educating others about the importance of the recycling industry. Together, they delve into the importance of reshaping the perception of metals recycling, particularly among younger generations, and fostering enthusiasm for it. The Levells take immense pride in their involvement in an industry that is wholeheartedly dedicated to sustainability, emphasizing the collective effort, hard work, and positive impact of individuals who champion the recycling message.

Ep. 73: Passion with A Purpose with the Levells

At the National 2023 ISRI Convention in Nashville, TN, John Sacco invites George Adams’ sons, Kurtis, Kalvin, and Tyler on the podcast to delve into their roles as leaders of SA Recycling’s many yards and shed light on their commitment to sustainability and innovation within the industry. Emphasizing the importance of finding a balance between work and family while navigating the challenges of running a thriving business, they share their vision for the future, including their plans to expand SA’s operations.

Ep. 72: The Future of the Family Business

At the 2023 ISRI National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, John Sacco sits with Tom Bird, President of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), to shed light on the obstacles the recycling industry is facing. While emphasizing the importance of navigating conflicts and trade regulations, Tom discusses the needed support for Ukrainian BIR members affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and highlights the importance of promoting recycling to achieve sustainability and address environmental concerns.

Ep. 71: From A Global Perspective with Tom Bird

With a 125-year history, Alter Trading Corporation recently celebrated their anniversary in New Orleans, Louisiana. As fourth generation to head Alter Trading, Jeff, Rob and Rich Goldstein have managed to maintain a culture reflecting the traits of a small family business despite their growing success as a major corporation. During the celebration, the Goldstein brothers reflected on their upbringing, emphasizing how the company has evolved in maintaining core values that are rooted in honesty, integrity, respect and, most of all, family.

Ep. 70: Rooted in Family Values with the Goldstein Brothers

Jennifer Betts

Jennifer Betts, now metal enthusiast, graduated from Indiana University as a major in finance. After stumbling upon the metals recycling industry at a job fair, the rest is history! Now, as a voice of metal recyclers everywhere, Jennifer has taken matters into her own hands to give the industry the recognition it deserves by sharing her experiences and stories on platforms like TikTok, hoping to excite and engage the younger generation about recycling in addition to creating a more diverse workforce within the industry.

Ep. 69: Inspire to Aspire with Jennifer Betts

Are you still using words like “scrap,” “junk,” or “waste” in your messaging? C’mon, get with the times… It’s 2023! For the first episode of the new year, John Sacco sits down to give us some insight into how the recycling industry touches our daily lives. Diving deep into the truths of specific recyclable metals and how they’re truly the first step into the manufacturing process, John advises we change our narrative when teaching regulators, policymakers and even children about the industry. After all, it’s not about what we say. It’s about what they hear.

Ep. 68: The Truth About Metals

Pile of Scrap’s real and raw discussions give unmatched insight into the 5th most dangerous industry in the country. Travel across the nation with John Sacco, Sierra International Machinery President, as he reveals the truth behind recycling and waste facilities in America. The environmental and economic impacts of this $500 billion-dollar industry go unnoticed by most, but the work the men and women in this industry do is vital to the save the world and our natural resources.

Recycling is one of the oldest industries around but is always evolving. John does a great job interviewing some of the best entrepreneurs in their respective field on how they have grown, managed risk, and have taught the next generation of recyclers.

Entrepreneurship Lessons in Recycling

Pile of Scrap is an awesome and informative podcast! A lot of useful info for all.

Awesome!

Pile of Scrap

As one of the largest and most successful privately-owned scrap recycling companies in the United States, it has taken years of patience, perseverance, and hard work for SA Recycling to officially claim its name to fame. George Adams, SA President and CEO, sits down with John Sacco to talk further about his time in law school, the attempt to accommodate California’s strict regulation laws, and the details behind SA’s past bankruptcy that turned out to benefit the company in the long run.

Ep. 7: Scrap Legends: SA Recycling Part #1

Matt Kripke

Toledo, Ohio-based Kripke Enterprises Inc. (KEI) has become one of the most notable non-ferrous scrap brokerage firms to serve North America. Having been known as the “go-to guy for aluminum,” President of KEI Matt Kripke joins Pile of Scrap host John Sacco to explain the rapid growth of the aluminum industry that has been overall prominent in autos and electric vehicles with examples as pronounced as Tesla and the Ford F-150. Announcing his appreciation, Kripke describes how economically viable and environmentally responsible ISRI has been in educating for the prevention of that aluminum going into landfills in the future.

Ep. 10: The Aluminum Guru – Matt Kripke

Jason Schenker

When it comes to getting down to the hard questions of understanding the impacts of the economy and the future it holds, Jason Schenker breaks it down for us. John Sacco invites Mr. Schenker, President of Prestige Economics and one of the most accurate financial forecasters and futurists in the world, on the podcast to discuss how the recycling industry and the U.S. economy has been impacted by tariffs as well as the net effect of the economy in terms of taxes on both the state and national levels.

Ep. 9: Economically Impacted with Jason Schenker

John Sacco

As the year comes to a close, John Sacco sits down for Pile of Scrap’s final episode of 2019 to talk the importance of spreading the word on what is and what isn’t recyclable. Whether you’re a legislator on Capitol Hill, a big-brand retailer like Amazon, or just grabbing groceries at your local market, John says it’s time to start changing the dynamic on the education of the recycling industry and take action. With 2020 around the corner, there seems to be no better time than now.

Ep. 13: Changing the Dynamic – John Sacco

Servicing throughout the Oregon and Washington regions since 2013, PNW Metal Recycling (PNW) is a conjoined family-owned business with years of experience in the industry. Whilst maintaining their reputation for the utmost level integrity, this company works every day to stay efficient in their region and becoming the lowest cost producer of the commodities they produce. In this episode, John Sacco travels to Portland, Oregon to speak with owners Fouad Daoud, his son Sean Daoud, and Hank Doane about PNW’s story, the burden of operating a facility in an environmentally conscious state such as Oregon, and their involvement with ISRI.

Ep. 11: Scrap Never Sleeps – PNW Metal Recycling, Inc.

Leonard Zeid

PAPER

Ever wonder what to do with that empty paper cup after finishing your morning coffee? Pile of Scrap host John Sacco travels to St. Louis, Missouri to ask paper recycling master, Leonard Zeid, just that. As Executive Vice President of Midland Davis Corp. and President of Paper Stock Industries (PSI), a national chapter of ISRI, there’s no doubt he knows the business. Everything from determining what to put in your blue bin, the increase in corporate environmental sustainability, and the unnecessary “go paperless” phenomenon, Zeid answers it all.

Ep. 12: Put It on Paper – Leonard Zeid

Chuck Carr

Update: Due to the ongoing developments of the novel Coronavirus ISRI, including the WHO pandemic declaration and the many state-of-emergency declarations around the country, ISRI cannot go forward with ISRI2020 this April.  However, this podcast episode still highlights the benefits of attending an ISRI National Convention. We hope to see you at ISRI2021 in San Diego!If there’s one thing the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is known for, it’s their conventions. Chuck Carr, mastermind behind the industry’s biggest event of the year, talks with John Sacco about the significant benefits ISRI’s conventions can bring to your business. Although networking is number one on that list, the keynote speakers and the educational programs make it a guarantee that this event won’t disappoint.

Update: Due to the ongoing developments of the novel Coronavirus ISRI, including the WHO pandemic declaration and the many state-of-emergency declarations around the country, ISRI cannot go forward with ISRI2020 this April.  However, this podcast episode still highlights the benefits of attending an ISRI National Convention. We hope to see you at ISRI2021 in San Diego!<br><br>If there’s one thing the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is known for, it’s their conventions. Chuck Carr, mastermind behind the industry’s biggest event of the year, talks with John Sacco about the significant benefits ISRI’s conventions can bring to your business. Although networking is number one on that list, the keynote speakers and the educational programs make it a guarantee that this event won’t disappoint.

Ep. 19: ISRI Convention Mastermind – Chuck Carr

As a home away from home, Indiana has held a special place in host John Sacco’s heart thanks to the Lewis family. Holding a 30-year-long friendship with Mike Lewis, President of Lewis Salvage Co., the two friends were able to talk about the growth of Lewis Salvage, what the future holds for Mike’s son, Cary, leading the company into the next generation, and the importance of maintaining close friendships in the industry.

Ep. 15: Back Home Again – Lewis Salvage

From following closely in his father’s footsteps, Matthew Goldman, CEO of Pasco Iron and Metal based in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, is unsurpassed when it comes to knowing the do’s and don’ts of the scrap business. By juggling all the responsibilities of building his company from the ground up, he is a true one man show. John Sacco joins Matthew and his father, Mark Goldman, in discussing Matthew taking the reins from his father and how exactly that plays into the success of his company and Florida’s growing scrap industry.

Ep. 5: Like Father, Like Son - Pasco Iron & Metal

From fashion to recycling, Edward Kangeter, CEO of CASS, Inc. based in Oakland, CA dives into the "ugliness" of the scrap industry and swaps memorable stories with John. As recyclers, they explain how one can clean up their operations, and help the world understand the importance of a scrap yard. Although, Ed forbids to use the word "scrap" he also describes his aluminum scrap operation. Processing, melting, and selling old recycled aluminum to clients who create everything from ice cream scoops, to skateboard trucks.

Ep 3: The Real Environmentalists

Jason Schenker is back! John Sacco invites one of the most accurate financial forecasters and futurists in the world to kick back, relax, and enjoy some homemade pizza and steak at his home in Bakersfield, California. But first, Jason sits down to answer a few of the many questions that have been asked about the state of our economy including the important effects the Wuhan Coronavirus has on scrap and global markets, how the science of economics directly impacts the 2020 Presidential election, and even the repercussions of “wish recycling.”

Ep. 16: Let’s Talk Economics with Jason Schenker

As we get more and more emerged into the Coronavirus pandemic, there are many questions being asked within the scrap industry. John Sacco invites medical professional Dr. Vip Dev and the biggest names in scrap such as Brett Ekart from United Metals Recycling, Sean Daoud from PNW Metal Recycling, Matt Kripke from Kripke Enterprises, Andrew Lincoln from Lincoln Recycling, and Nathan Frankel from Advanced Steel Recovery to give us the inside scoop on the availability of virus testing and how the scrap industry remains in operation through the slowing of production and business closures.

Ep. 22: Scrap Recycling vs. COVID-19

Brian Shine

Throughout generations of his family being involved in the industry, current ISRI Chairman Brian Shine, knew scrap was in his blood from the very beginning. From incorporating the values that he had learned from his family business in addition to the experience he’d acquired through his involvement in the industry, he leads the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) to its continued success. Brian joins John Sacco to discuss the strategy behind the magic that is ISRI and how important the organization has been for the entire scrap recycling community as a whole.

Ep. 6: The Recyclers’ Advocate – Brian Shine, ISRI

Randy Hanson

Sierra’s Recycle Everything Balers (REBs) are known for getting the job done both quickly and efficiently. However, achieving such high standards wouldn’t be possible without the help of a combined 60 years of experience in the business. John Sacco packs up and heads to Jesup, Georgia, home to Sierra’s manufacturing plant, to meet with General Manager Emory Olds and Head Technician of Sierra’s Two-Ram Balers Randy Hanson. Here, these guys talk specifics on the design and engineering of the World’s leading line of two-ram balers.

Ep. 18: The REB Strategy with Emory Olds & Randy Hanson

Brett Ekart

The recycling industry is notorious for family-owned businesses and United Metals Recycling is no different. Starting from the time Brett Ekart was watching cartoons in his grandpa’s office all the way to graduating with his MBA, he always knew scrap was in his blood. As the third generation Ekart to own United Metals, based in Boise, Idaho, Brett joins Pile of Scrap to talk about the incredible journey he’s had in becoming CEO and how the generations before him have helped pave the way to the successful business it is today.

Ep. 14: The Scrap Life – Brett Ekart, United Metals

Are you sick and tired of the countless regulations being put on your yard that are implemented by elected officials who know nothing about the industry? John Sacco is, which is why he’s decided to tell us what we need to do to get our voices heard so that we can properly inform the public and control the message about what it is we do.

Ep. 18.5: Controlling the Message with John Sacco

Pile of Scrap host and former Chairman of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) John Sacco travels to Washington, D.C. to sit down with old colleague and ISRI President Robin Wiener to gain some insight into the industry and inform listeners of the positive influences that ISRI has had across the board. ISRI has made monumental impacts for its members and the industry as a whole in terms of saving the environment and bettering the economy which, according to Robin, is sure to continue in the many years to come

Ep. 17: ISRI’s Role in Recycling with Robin Wiener

Basic necessities have been wiped from the shelves since the outbreak of the Coronavirus has stirred up panic in our communities. Toilet paper, water, and even certain meats – gone. John Sacco sits down with us to discuss the absurdity the World has been going through the past few days and how improving communication between production companies and consumers can positively affect these circumstances.

Ep. 21: Panic from Coronavirus Part 2 – John Sacco

With the ISRI convention being officially cancelled and having a daughter overseas spending the semester abroad after an announcement of a European travel ban, John Sacco is starting to feel the panic of the novel Coronavirus. Having uncertainty about what this virus means for our economy and others in the industry, John advises us to remain calm.

Ep. 20: Panic from Coronavirus Part 1 – John Sacco

With SA Recycling being one of the largest and most successful privately-owned scrap recycling companies in the United States, SA President and CEO George Adams knows the ins and outs of what makes this industry tick. In Part 2 of “Scrap Legends: SA Recycling” George sits down with John Sacco to discuss the difficulties in finding laborers, the effects the trade wars with China have had on the scrap business, and what it was like being an officer for ISRI.

Ep. 8: Scrap Legends: SA Recycling Part #2

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