Live at ISRI 2024, top-ranked Economist and Futurist Jason Schenker joins John Sacco as they discuss the current Geopolitical state, the U.S. economy and inflation rates. They also dive into a possible “Cold War 2” scenario and what that means for the Metal Recycling Industry ..read more

Join John Sacco as he discusses the importance of the recycled materials industry, addressing the common misconceptions and the negative imagery associated with the term "scrap." Emphasizing the need for rebranding and using precise language to positively change the industry's public perception. Sacco highlights the unveiling of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries' (ISRI) new name (happening in Las Vegas) at their convention, April 15-19th, as a step towards this goal. Making parallels between the recycled materials industry and other essential but "dirty" industries like agriculture ..read more

At the Scrap Expo 2023 convention in Louisville, KY, John Sacco brings the podcast to the center stage as he talks with Jay Robinovitz (Alter Trading President & CEO), Danny Rifkin (MetalX President & CEO), George Adams (SA Recycling CEO), and Kevin Gershowitz (Gershow Recycling Vice President). These men emphasize the spirit of business owners in the industry to flourish amidst industry consolidations and how they cultivate talent in large operations. They further touch on growth strategies, the essence of family-run ventures, the potential of AI and robotics, and environmental consid ..read more

Host John Sacco and ISRI Chairman Brian Henesey discuss the challenges, opportunities, and goals of ISRI and the recycling industry as a whole. Highlighting the importance of recycled materials, the need for advocacy, and the importance of increased member engagement for the betterment of the industry, Brian Henesey’s goal is to promote the value of recycling to regulators, policymakers, and the public ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

The recycling industry has always had struggles with finding manual labor workers. But nowadays, as we’re living in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, finding those willing to work outside their homes has hit an all-time low. Lizette Patterson, Founder and CEO of Cazador Consulting Group in Bakersfield, CA, joins the podcast with John Sacco to discuss some of the big questions circling the workforce. She tells us that although finding suitable candidates to employ is complex, the struggle also relies on being a good employer. More specific to recycling, Lizette says the pursuit of creating a ..read more