Dirty Scrap The Aluminum Podcast

In this episode of Dirty Scrap Podcast, we sit down with Scott Breen, President of the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), the organization representing U.S. metal can manufacturers and their suppliers.

Scott leads CMI’s industry strategy, serves as the chief spokesperson with policymakers and media, and oversees the organization’s culture and operations. He also brings a unique perspective from his role as Chair of The Recycling Partnership’s Board of Directors, and from his previous work at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and NOAA.

In this conversation, we explore:

Why the U.S. aluminum can recycling rate remains around 43%

Why fixing sorting alone won’t get us to 70–90% recycling

The role of deposit return systems and infrastructure

How fragmented recycling programs limit performance

What truly scales in aluminum circularity—and what doesn’t

This episode is especially relevant for professionals in:aluminum recycling, scrap processing, MRF operations, sustainability strategy, and industrial manufacturing.

🎧 Listen to understand what’s really holding recycling back—and what could finally move the needle

In this episode of the Dirty Scrap Podcast, we sit down with Nick from High Temperature Systems to discuss what’s really happening on the foundry floor in 2025.

We cover:

Why tariffs didn’t translate into new investment

Supply chain disruptions and rising lead times

The gap between automation and operational know-how

Safety risks tied to preheating, training, and process discipline

A practical conversation for anyone working with molten metal, recycling, or foundry operations.

🎧 Listen, learn, and stay sharp.

In this conversation, Aldo shares more than 20 years of experience across operations, commercial strategy, logistics, and global metal trading. We explore how the industry is evolving and what new generations need to know as they enter the field.

Topics Covered

Immigration, workforce shortages & generational knowledge loss

Why younger talent is not entering manufacturing — and how to fix it

How tariffs and Section 232 are reshaping risk, pricing, and investment

Global competition: What Asia & Europe do differently

Technology adoption and why the U.S. is behind

Recycling rates: Why the U.S. lags and what’s needed to improve

Market uncertainty and pricing strategy in volatile times

The real challenges recyclers face in sourcing manpower

Vertical integration and why aluminum is leading over copper

How small & mid-size yards can scale using new commercial models

The role of mentorship, conferences, and knowledge-sharing in the next decade

GuestAldo — Founder of The Metal Agency, with extensive background in operations, sourcing, international trading, and commercial optimization in the non-ferrous sector.

Why This Episode MattersIf you're in metals, manufacturing, recycling, logistics, or plant operations, this conversation gives you actionable clarity on where the industry is heading and what leaders need to prepare for.

Guest: Amy Hinton, North American Scrap Editor — FastmarketsHost: Julio Quintero, Dirty Scrap Podcast

Topics discussed:

Tariffs and their real impact on U.S. producers and recyclers

The nearshoring dilemma: cost, energy, and compliance

Transparency vs. complexity in the new trade environment

Labor and energy challenges for aluminum smelters

The evolving U.S.–Mexico–Canada (USMCA) trade dynamic

Market volatility and the role of Fastmarkets in providing clarity

Takeaway:👉 The metals market is being reshaped by tariffs, transparency, and turbulence — and those who adapt fastest will define the next decade of U.S. recycling and production.

In this episode of Dirty Scrap, host Julio Quintero sits down with Beatriz Landa, VP of Metal Procurement & Planning at Novelis, to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping the aluminum industry.

From her unique journey — professional soccer player, lawyer, McKinsey consultant, and now a senior executive at Novelis — to leading strategies that aim for 75% recycled content by 2030, Beatriz shares an inspiring perspective on leadership, sustainability, and industry transformation.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

How the aluminum market shifted from a seller’s to a buyer’s market in just months.

Why tariffs and policy uncertainty in Washington are reshaping supply chains.

The role of scrap flexibility and technology in boosting recycling efficiency.

Novelis’ long-term strategy: 75% recycled content and <3t CO₂ per ton by 2030.

The story behind Women in Novelis and how diversity initiatives are changing plant culture.

Insights on recycling rates: Why Europe hits 90–95% UBC recovery while the U.S. lags at 45–50%.

Why collaboration between primary and secondary aluminum is essential for the industry’s future.

✨ Beatriz also delivers a strong message to women in manufacturing: “This industry is exciting, growing, and sustainable — we need more women to join us.”

What will the U.S.–Canada relationship look like in 2025?Aluminum has become the real thermometer of this bilateral relationship:

📉 Trade tensions with tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%

⚡ A shared climate agenda focused on recycling and decarbonization

🏭 Direct impact on automotive, aerospace, construction, and packaging

🔧 Technological opportunities: induction furnaces, continuous billet casting, and scrap drying/decoating systems

In this video we explore:

The interdependence of aluminum trade between the U.S. and Canada

The effects of Section 232 and retaliatory measures

How sustainability and carbon policies could unite both nations

The emerging opportunities for industry and technology providers

👉 Subscribe for more insights on the future of aluminum, recycling, and manufacturing in North America.💬 Share your thoughts in the comments: are we facing a long-term trade war, or just another chapter in the story of two inevitable allies?

#Aluminum #USCanada #Recycling #Manufacturing #Trade

Dirty Scrap Podcast 🎙️ | The Long Way Home

In this episode, we dive into The Long Way Home — a project that goes beyond aluminum and recycling to explore the human side of sustainability.

🌍 Coming from Colombia, where poverty is a daily reality, I connect my personal story with the global challenges of equity, industry, and environmental responsibility.

We talk about:

♻️ Why sustainability in aluminum is also a social issue

🚀 How recycling and circular economy projects expand into new industries

🌐 The role of purpose-driven initiatives like The Long Way Home in shaping a better future

👉 Don’t miss this conversation about aluminum, recycling, and the deeper meaning of sustainability.💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — how do you see the link between industry and social impact?

#DirtyScrapPodcast #TheLongWayHome #Aluminum #Recycling #Sustainability #CircularEconomy

https://lwhome.org/

In this episode, Chuck Johnson joins us to break down the current state of U.S. aluminum tariff policies and their impact across the supply chain — from producers and recyclers to manufacturers and end users.

We cover:– Why aluminum tariffs continue to shape the market– How trade policy decisions influence domestic capacity– The challenges and opportunities facing U.S. aluminum– What could change in the coming weeks

If you're in the aluminum industry or simply want to understand how trade policy affects critical materials, this conversation offers timely insights.

If you're in the aluminum game, ALUMINUM USA is where you need to be. Taking place May 28-29 in Nashville, TN, this is the premier industry event is bringing together producers, fabricators, suppliers, and innovators from across the entire value chain. Whether you're dealing in scrap, smelting, or high-tech applications, this is your chance to network, learn, and stay ahead of the curve. ALUMINUM USA is where the future of aluminum takes shape.

Get a FREE ticket ($100 value) by visiting 🎁aluminumusa2025.com/freeticket

In this special episode of the Dirty Scrap Podcast, we talk with Robin Wiener, President of REMA (formerly ISRI), about the impact of global transformation on recycling, tariff policies, trade challenges, and strengthening international relationships. 🌎♻️

An essential conversation to understand where the industry is heading and how we can build a more resilient and sustainable future.