Mikey and Elliott Foon of Admiral Metals join the podcast with their father, Steven, to talk over some of the hottest topics in the industry right now. As recycling slowly makes its way out from the top-numbered deadliest of industries, the Foon brothers agree that we have nothing to thank other than initiating safety first daily. The Foons also discuss their duties at their yard, the importance of being recycling warriors, and spreading the message of what this industry is all about.

The Adams brothers of SA Recycling joined the podcast to talk about what makes their company tick. With a whopping 125 yards across the nation, it’s no surprise these guys know their way around the metal recycling business. As CEO of SA, George Adams is one of the most known faces in the recycling industry today, and his love for expansion has been a significant factor in what keeps the company growing. As Director, Terry Adams, on the other hand, handles much of the legal and environmental responsibilities that keep SA safe and prosperous. While these specific duties help SA flourish, the brothers agree that leadership, positive contribution, and staying proactive are what can overall keep a company in business.

Much has transpired since the last time we sat down with our favorite economist, Jason Schenker. Jason gives us an update on how the world affairs, such as the Russia/Ukraine war and the COVID-19 shut down in China, specifically affect the recycling and metal industries. With price shift and supply as a primary concern, in addition to inflation hitting labor, operational, and equipment costs, Jason tells us what he sees coming in months to come. However, in the grand scheme of things, according to the Federal Reserve Board, the US economy is still predicted to grow strong with the service consumption, fixed investments, and the employment-population ratio at incredibly high rates.

At ISRI’s 2022 National Convention, John sits down with Von Fahrenbruch, owner of F&F Iron & Metals in Norton, Kansas. Having known each other for over 20 years through trade shows, John admits Von is the prime example of how to treat people and how to operate a facility. With Kansas as a major producer of agriculture and oil, Von tells us that processing metals from feedlots and farms and the oil and gas industries have considerably impacted his company’s growth. However, although that has influenced business, Von says that desire and hard work are the main factors in making a company great.

Stan Silva II and his son Stan Silva III (Little Bud) return to the podcast for a second time at the ISRI 2022 National Convention to talk to us about operations at the A&S Metals facility. Although he says it’s not as fun as driving a truck, Little Bud has acquired more presence in the yard and taken over some day-to-day duties. With that said, Stan says he’s almost ready to hand over the family business officially. The two discuss how growing up in the industry, taking care of equipment, and keeping good relationships with employees have significantly impacted their growth as a company.

As their father slowly begins to let his sons take over the company, David and Michael Krentzman say they're more than ready to step up to the plate and follow the six generations of Krentzmans before them. The brothers join the podcast to discuss what it's like operating in rural Pennsylvania, the separation of duties they each have, and how they're continuously working to build core strength for their company to "get better every day."

Although growing up in the industry and becoming a multi-generational yard owner is impressive, starting as a first-generation recycling facility deserves a whole new level of appreciation. Brothers John and Nicholas Cohen, owners of NJC Scrap Metal Recycling in Hempstead and Bay Shore, NY, join Pile of Scrap at the 2022 ISRI National Convention to discuss where they see themselves in five years, what it’s been like to work with family, and how important it is to hold the value in doing “old school” business.

To recognize the importance that the next generation has on the state of our environment in the years to come, ISRI partners with Jason Learning and invites K-12 students across the nation to participate in The JASON Project to create a video and poster promoting the recycling industry. This year at the 2022 ISRI National Convention, Josephine Tarazzi, Mark Monteleone, Ani Nishanian, and Namira Meghla, the winners of The JASON Project, join Pile of Scrap to discuss the creation of their projects and what their futures look like in the years to come.

During a busy Day 3 of the 2022 ISRI National Convention, President of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Tom Bird sits down with John Sacco to share insight on recycling from a global perspective. Tom shares how policymakers in the UK have been working against recyclers much like they have in the US, how the Russia/Ukraine conflict has created division and disrupted material trading, and how the BIR is continuing to make sure needs are met for members despite these challenging times we’re experiencing in the industry.

The recycling industry fights many battles day-in and day-out, but ISRI Chairman Gary Champlin says that the COVID-19 pandemic was more of a war than a battle for recyclers everywhere. Having been elected at the peak of shutdown and experiencing two years of sole virtual communication, Gary couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come at the in-person 2022 ISRI National Convention. Champlin joins the podcast to tell us all about his role in managing the chaos at the start of the pandemic and how ISRI has had major impact in representing the passionate people in this industry.