83 episodes

Pile of Scrap’s real and raw discussions give unmatched insight into the 5th most dangerous industry in the country. Travel across the nation with John Sacco, Sierra International Machinery President, as he reveals the truth behind recycling and waste facilities in America. The environmental and economic impacts of this $500 billion-dollar industry go unnoticed by most, but the work the men and women in this industry do is vital to the save the world and our natural resources.

Pile of Scrap Sierra International Machinery

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 38 Ratings

Pile of Scrap’s real and raw discussions give unmatched insight into the 5th most dangerous industry in the country. Travel across the nation with John Sacco, Sierra International Machinery President, as he reveals the truth behind recycling and waste facilities in America. The environmental and economic impacts of this $500 billion-dollar industry go unnoticed by most, but the work the men and women in this industry do is vital to the save the world and our natural resources.

    Ep: 83 Building BUDDY with Born scrappy

    Ep: 83 Building BUDDY with Born scrappy

    Join John Sacco as he sits down with Lisa and Stuart Kagan. From their early days working at the grassroots level of the recycled material industry to spearheading innovation, the Kagans share their journey of building BUDDY — a unique marketplace designed by recyclers, for recyclers. Dive into their inspiring story of persistence, innovation, and how they are shaping the future of recycling with BUDDY. Tune in to discover how the Kagans are turning challenges into opportunities in the world of recycling!
     
    BUDDY is an exciting new trading platform for recyclers worldwide. Buddy is the world’s first relationship-led marketplace built for scrappies, by scrappies. Metal recyclers are able to list their material in a few seconds and instantly have it sent out to some of the world’s top buyers for each commodity.

    • 57 min
    Pile of Scrap Ep. 82: The Economic State for Recyclers with Jason Schenker

    Pile of Scrap Ep. 82: The Economic State for Recyclers with Jason Schenker

    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.

    • 38 min
    Ep.81 with Brian Hennessy

    Ep.81 with Brian Hennessy

    Join John Sacco, former ISRI chairman, as he interviews current ISRI chair, Brian Hennessy. John and Bryan discusses his term as ISRI chairman, and the experience Brian has had over the last two years. They discuss current, past and future of ISRI and his thoughts as the outgoing chairman of his final convention.

    • 19 min
    Ep. 80 Dirty Jobs

    Ep. 80 Dirty Jobs

    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, construction, and healthcare, arguing that these industries are indispensable despite the dirt and hard work involved.

    • 30 min
    Ep. 79: The Reality of Recycling at Scrap Expo 2023

    Ep. 79: The Reality of Recycling at Scrap Expo 2023

    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 considerations in the realm of metals recycling. With a blend of stories and insights, highlighting the dynamic nature of the industry, you won’t want to miss this episode!

    • 1 hr 14 min
    Ep. 78: Trailblazing A Sustainable Future with Brian Henesey

    Ep. 78: Trailblazing A Sustainable Future with Brian Henesey

    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.

    • 22 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
38 Ratings

38 Ratings

Mike Swim ,

Fight On with Mark Sanchez ✌️

John great episode buddy, enjoyed every single minute of it. I loved you circled around from scrap to recycling to NFL to Mark and back again. Keep recording them!

Lincoln Recycling ,

Entrepreneurship Lessons in Recycling

Recycling is one of the oldest industries around but is always evolving. John does a great job interviewing some of the best entrepreneurs in their respective field on how they have grown, managed risk, and have taught the next generation of recyclers.

Satisfied8User ,

In-depth and Fun

These conversations range from the big picture around scrap/recycling to the nitty-gritty details. I’m not in the industry, but I have learned a ton in only a few episodes; it’s like being a fly on the wall for meetings few people get a chance to be in. Worth the listen.

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