A Scrap Life

Recycled Media

Follow Brett Ekart as he finds people throughout the country living "A Scrap Life"

  1. The Trade - Episode #18 with Brett and Aldo | March Copper Edition

    6 MAR

    The Trade - Episode #18 with Brett and Aldo | March Copper Edition

    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.

    22 min

  2. 4 MAR

    The Trade - Episode #17 with Brett, Chad and Atilla | Ferrous March Edition

    On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett and Chad are joined by Atilla Widnell of Navigate Commodities, who explains how satellite technology and thermal imagery provide real-time insights into global steel mill utilization and ferris scrap demand. The discussion also covers the impact of international conflicts on market sentiment, inflation trends in the U.S. and Turkey, and China's significant role in global scrap generation. Produced by Recycled Media.

    1 hr
  3. The Trade - Episode #16 with Brett and Mike | February 9th, 2026

    9 FEB

    The Trade - Episode #16 with Brett and Mike | February 9th, 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.

    30 min
  4. The Trade - Episode #15 with Brett and Aldo | February 6th, 2026

    6 FEB

    The Trade - Episode #15 with Brett and Aldo | February 6th, 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.

    26 min
  5. The Trade - Episode #14 with Brett and Chad | February 5th, 2026

    5 FEB

    The Trade - Episode #14 with Brett and Chad | February 5th, 2026

    On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Chad to analyze the February 2026 scrap metal market, highlighting copper as a potential "trade of the year" and discussing how small businesses can navigate current market volatility. This episode explores the impact of macroeconomic trends, such as GDP growth and energy costs, on ferrous and non-ferrous positioning to help operators maximize their margins.  Produced by Recycled Media.

    39 min
  6. The Trade - Episode #13 with Brett and Aldo | January 12th, 2026

    23 JAN

    The Trade - Episode #13 with Brett and Aldo | January 12th, 2026

    On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Aldo Jordan to dive into the 2026 copper market, exploring why prices have surged toward $6.00 due to heavy financial speculation rather than supply-side fundamentals,,,. They provide critical insights for scrap operators on managing massive cash flow demands, navigating widening spreads, and the importance of rapid inventory turnover during periods of extreme market volatility. Produced by Recycled Media.

    20 min
  7. The Trade - Episode #12 with Brett and Chad | January 9th, 2026

    9 JAN

    The Trade - Episode #12 with Brett and Chad | January 9th, 2026

    On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Chad to kick off January 2026 by analyzing the current state of the scrap metal industry and reflecting on the "muddle along" performance of 2025,. The duo discusses market trends for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, exploring how macro factors like AI, oil price volatility, and steel demand may shape what they hope will become the "year of the commodity". Produced by Recycled Media.

    28 min
  8. The Trade - Episode #11 with Brett and Mike | January 8th, 2026

    8 JAN

    The Trade - Episode #11 with Brett and Mike | January 8th, 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 aluminum market. The episode covers how recent tariffs have dramatically increased the Midwest Premium, leading to historically wide scrap spreads and an influx of supply. They stress that sorting and quality are crucial for scrap traders to maximize value by providing material that can substitute for expensive prime aluminum. The conversation concludes by discussing market uncertainties and the impact of monitoring geopolitical risks. Produced by Recycled Media.

    44 min
See All (150)

About

Follow Brett Ekart as he finds people throughout the country living "A Scrap Life"

Information

  • Creator
    Recycled Media
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Recycled Media
  • Show Website
    A Scrap Life

You Might Also Like