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Follow Brett Ekart as he finds people throughout the country living "A Scrap Life"
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
8 OCT 2026 · In this episode of A Scrap Life: Generational Courage, Brett sits down with Clinton, Ryan, and Saren Weinstein to explore how their family built M&M Recycling into a thriving scrap management business in Atlanta. They share their inspiring story of immigrating from South Africa, working through early struggles, and expanding from small-scale metal processing into operating four locations with heavy industrial recycling equipment.
*Note: Please excuse the audio quality on one section of the episode, which experienced technical issues during recording and had to be re-recorded later.
Produced by Recycled Media.
2 SEP 2026 · On this episode of A Scrap Life: American Made, Brett interviews Damon Carson, the founder of Repurposed Materials, about his business model of running an "industrial thrift store" that rescues industrial waste and byproducts for direct, high-value reuse. They explore Carson's background in the waste industry and discuss diverse, real-world examples of repurposing materials, such as ski lift cables, conveyor belts, and ballistic glass, to showcase the economic and environmental benefits of the reuse economy. Produced by Recycled Media.
24 AUG 2026 · On this episode of A Scrap Life: Generational Courage, Brett is joined by Shon Duty, Montana Duty and Kaila Burkett of ScrapRight. They dive deep into what it takes to run a multi-generational family scrap business, sharing the unique challenges, lessons learned, and the journey of transitioning leadership to the next generation. Produced by Recycled Media.
13 AUG 2026 · In this episode of A Scrap Life, Brett and Aldo discuss the volatility and complexities of the copper trade, specifically focusing on how financing costs, speculation, and potential tariffs impact the industry. They also explore the critical role of logistics in managing cash flow and explain the arbitrage between the COMEX and LME exchanges. Produced by Recycled Media.
3 JUN 2026 · In this June edition of The Trade, Brett and Chad analyze the June 2026 ferrous market "standoff," focusing on the balance between strong domestic mill demand and a cooling export market. They explore how infrastructure projects like data centers are driving scrap usage and discuss why most experts predict a "sideways" market for the month ahead. Produced by Recycled Media.
12 MAY 2026 · In this May copper episode of The Trade, hosts Brett and Aldo discussing how financial speculation and AI-driven demand are currently fueling a volatile copper market despite rising physical inventories. They offer strategic risk-management advice for scrap yard operators, emphasizing the importance of sticking to fundamentals while navigating the disconnect between paper trading and physical supply.
Produced by Recycled Media.
8 APR 2026 · On this episode of A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by John Sacco to engage in a debate over whether their industry should identify as the "scrap" trade or the "recycled materials" industry. The conversation explores whether "scrap" represents a badge of honor and value identifier, or if "recycled materials" is a necessary narrative adjustment to overcome negative perceptions and avoid restrictive government regulations. Produced by Recycled Media.
6 MAR 2026 · On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Aldo Jordan to discuss he factors driving the March 2026 copper market, including China's economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and the impact of the strong US dollar. Aldo ultimately advises a "buy, sell, and forget it" approach for scrap handlers due to the lack of clear price support above the $6 mark. Produced by Recycled Media.
9 FEB 2026 · On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Mike Anderson, VP of Materials Trading at Schupan & Sons, to analyze the current state of the aluminum market, focusing on how Section 232 tariffs and record-high Midwest premiums are impacting domestic scrap pricing and international trade flows. The discussion also explores the future of the industry, highlighting the impact of potential interest rate changes and the role of advanced separation technologies in upgrading scrap value. Produced by Recycled Media.
6 FEB 2026 · On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Aldo Jordan to discuss the unprecedented volatility in the copper market and how financial speculation is increasingly decoupling prices from physical supply and demand. This episode provides expert insights into shifting Chinese consumption while offering essential advice for scrap business owners on managing insurance, credit lines, and operational risks. Produced by Recycled Media.
Follow Brett Ekart as he finds people throughout the country living "A Scrap Life"
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| Author | Recycled Media |
| Organization | Recycled Media |
| Categories | Business |
| Website | - |
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