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Unmatched solutions for a range of industry sectors. Converters/Box Plants Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers

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MRFs Two-Ram Balers, Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers

Paper Recyclers/Document Destruction Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers, Two-Ram Balers

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GROWTH BY DESIGN

HOW USM SCALED FROM ONE TRUCK TO A NATIONAL RECYCLING OPERATION SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 recyclingproductnews.com PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270

THE NEW REALITIES OF LOAD THEFT THE NEXT GENERATION OF MATERIAL HANDLERS

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TECHNOLOGY CONTINUED

BHS (Bulk Handling Systems) has opened the Nashville-based CTEC (Customer Testing and Education Center); offering material stream testing and evaluation in real time with BHS equipment and systems. Testing at CTEC gives customers vital information about the characterization and value of materials being processed at every stage. This type of testing will benefit operators who may be struggling to improve the percentage value of their waste stream purity. By sending a sample to test with the BHS team, operators can receive key insights into what system changes would be required to improve purity rates. Customers can choose to submit test samples and have BHS provide results, or participate in real-time testing via virtual or in-person sessions.

Understanding the costs of required system updates and the timeframe for a return on investment is crucial to businesses where investing in new equipment retrofits could mean critical downtime and lost productivity and revenue. The CTEC system provides clear, tested validation on what purity levels can be achieved. An industry-first facility, CTEC utilizes Max-AI® Flex robots, followed by the industry-leading SpydIR®-HS optical sorter; the loop showcases a fully automated QC where customers can choose either the proven Max-AI® AQC-2 robotic QC featuring the iEOT, or Max-AI® AIR direct eject QC machine—all controlled via the Total Intelligence Platform. See the loop in Action To learn more, or schedule a visit: www.bulkhandlingsystems.com/CTEC

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SCAN TO WATCH

COVER STORY HOW USM SCALED FROM ONE TRUCK TO A NATIONAL RECYCLING OPERATION

Q&A: TYLER ROTHSTEIN ON THE GROWING COMPLEXITY OF E-WASTE

WHAT DEFINES THE NEXT GENERATION OF MATERIAL HANDLERS?

THE NEW REALITIES OF LOAD THEFT

September/October 2026 | Volume 34, Number 5

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS & SECTIONS

How USM scaled from one truck to a national recycling operation

10 12

News Room

Q&A: Tyler Rothstein on the growing complexity of e-waste

Spotlight

Machinex’s MIND reshapes what recycling equipment can see and do

Cover Story

Read more on page 20.

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Recycling Product News is published six times yearly: January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/ December. Advertising closes at the beginning of the issue month. One year subscription rates for others: Canada $33.50 + 1.68 GST = $35.18; U.S.A. $40; other countries $63.50. Single copies $6.00 + 0.30 GST = $6.30; outside Canada $7.00. All prices are in Canadian funds. Recycling Product News accepts no responsibility or liability for reported claims made by manufacturers and/or distributors for products or services; the views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Baum Publications Ltd. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Copyright 2026 Baum Publications Ltd. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publishers. Printed on paper made of FSC®-certified and other controlled material. ISSN 1715-7013. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270.

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Do you have a story, equipment or technology innovation, commentary, or news that our readers in the recycling industry should know about? Drop us a line any time. Contact: Editor Slone Fox at sfox@baumpub.com or 604-291-9900 ext. 335

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Unmatched solutions for a range of industry sectors. Converters/Box Plants

Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers

Distribution Centers

Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers

Ferrous/Nonferrous/Auto Recyclers

Triple Compression Balers, Baler/Loggers, Shears, Shredders, Two-Ram Balers

MRFs

Two-Ram Balers, Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers

Paper Recyclers/Document Destruction

Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers, Two-Ram Balers

Plastic Recycling

Two-Ram Balers, Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers

Printers

Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers

Specialty Markets

Rubber Balers, Drum Crushers, Foam Balers

Textile Recyclers

Horizontal Auto-Tie Balers, Horizontal Auto-Eject Balers, Two-Ram Balers

Waste Transfer Stations Two-Ram Balers, TransPak

Application Expertise · Legendary Performance · Superior Owner Experience

BEYOND THE EXPECTED.

Discover more at: HarrisAmericanCo.com

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR THERE’S A STORY IN THAT

here are plenty of good stories in recycling. Most of us probably walk past a few of them every day without giving them much thought. The trick is recognizing the stories that are there and learning how to tell them. I recently had the opportunity to host a workshop as part of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries’ Next Gen Committee on building your professional presence in the recycling industry. One of the exercises was about finding the story behind something you’ve done at work. Installing a new sorter is news inside a facility, but outside of the facility the more interesting part is what changed because of the installation. Did you recover more material? Did you solve a problem that had been costing the facility time or money? A 12 percent reduction in contamination is a great result, but the number becomes much more interesting when you can explain what that 12 percent allowed you to do. This is something I see from the editor’s side all the time. Some of the best stories start with a very ordinary conversation with someone who doesn’t think they have anything particularly interesting to say. They’ll mention a problem they’ve been working on, a change they’ve made at their facility, or something they’re seeing in the market, almost as an aside. To them, it’s just their job, but there’s almost always an article in there. There’s an incredible amount of knowledge in this industry, but a lot of it never travels very far beyond the people who already have it. That’s one reason I wanted to talk about personal visibility with the Next Gen group in the first place. Building a professional presence doesn’t mean you have to suddenly start posting inspirational LinkedIn essays five times a week. It can mean joining a committee and contributing to the conversation, speaking on a panel, sharing something useful online, or introducing two people who should know each other.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Your personal brand builds trust in your company, and your company’s credibility builds trust in the industry. If we want people to see recycling differently, we have to give them the language and the stories to do it. It starts small with you, individually, learning to tell your story. That builds your personal brand. Your personal brand builds trust in your company, and your company’s credibility builds trust in the industry. When enough people can explain clearly why this work matters, that gets more funding, more support, and more buy-in from people who have never set foot inside a facility, but might be making decisions that impact your operations.

SLONE FOX Editor sfox@baumpub.com recyclingproductnews.com

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WM TESTS AUTONOMOUS EQUIPMENT IN LANDFILLS

uilding on a successful pilot program that tested remote-controlled heavy equipment in landfill operations, WM will further collaborate with Caterpillar to deploy and evaluate autonomous landfill equipment solutions. WM is the first company to use Cat Command remote-controlled technology in the solid waste industry. In late 2025, it began operating a dozer equipped with Cat Command at its Marana, Arizona, landfill, where operators were able to successfully move and disperse waste while improving safety and efficiency. Based on the success of that pilot, WM and Caterpillar will collaborate to test a Caterpillar-developed autonomous landfill compactor in real-world conditions. This effort aims to advance the development of autonomous solutions for landfill operations.

PARTNERSHIP RECOVERS RARE EARTH MAGNETS FROM E-WASTE

RI and Cyclic Materials have entered into a strategic partnership to improve the rare earth recovery ecosystem in the U.S. by widening the nationwide collection network to process high-volume magnet-containing products. The partnership will combine ERI’s collection network with Cyclic Materials’ commercial rare earth recovery and refining technologies. The partnership will create a more stable supply of rare earth minerals by recovering materials from end-of-life electronics already in circulation. Compared to traditional mining, recovering rare earths from products already in circulation is becoming the most realistic approach to solving supply chain constraints with speed and onshore capability.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

POST-CONSUMER PLASTIC RECOVERY TOPS 5.1 BILLION POUNDS

recent study found that the U.S. topped 5.1 billion pounds of post-consumer plastic recovered for recycling in 2024 — an increase of 114.9 million pounds from the previous reporting period in 2022. Using the “2024 U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Study,” the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) published the 2024 U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Data Dashboard. The results are based on surveys conducted by Stina Inc. and the National Association for PET Container Resources. While overall recovery increased, results varied significantly across material categories. Plastic film saw the largest gain, with recovery increasing by 206.8 million pounds to 1.32 billion pounds. Bottle recovery fell by 89.3 million pounds to 2.69 billion pounds, while recovery of non-bottle rigid plastics declined by 7.5 million pounds to 1.10 billion pounds. Results were mixed across other plastic categories. Findings also align with recommendations outlined by a recent APR report that identified practical strategies to strengthen domestic recycling through increased investment, improved collection and sorting systems, stronger demand for recycled plastics, and policies that support long-term market growth. Survey respondents described a market that remained under pressure throughout 2024. Elevated bale prices, soft demand for post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin, and persistently low virgin resin prices compressed margins across the recycling industry, making it more difficult for reclaimers to invest in additional capacity. The data reinforces the commitment to recycled plastics in North America. Nearly 94 percent of the plastics recovered for recycling — 4.8 billion pounds — were processed by North American reclaimers, including Canada and Mexico. U.S. reclaimers alone acquired 4.4 billion pounds, demonstrating the substantial domestic recycling infrastructure already in place to process recovered plastic, which contributes jobs and economic benefits across the more than 21 states with active plastic reclamation facilities.

CANADA STRENGTHENS CRIMINAL CODE TO COMBAT COPPER THEFT

anada has strengthened its Criminal Code to crack down on copper theft, recognizing the growing threat the crime poses to critical infrastructure, public safety, and essential services. The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14), which came into effect on July 15, 2026, introduces tougher bail and sentencing provisions for repeat violent offenders and organized crime. Among the changes is a new aggravating factor for theft and mischief involving essential infrastructure, a measure aimed directly at crimes such as copper theft. For the recycling industry, the legislation acknowledges what processors, utilities, municipalities, and law enforcement have been highlighting for years — copper theft is not just a property crime. Stolen copper from power distribution systems, telecommunications networks, rail infrastructure, and construction sites can lead to widespread service disruptions, costly repairs, worker safety risks, and significant economic losses. The reforms also make it more difficult for repeat offenders to obtain bail in certain cases through expanded reverse onus provisions, require courts to give greater consideration to public safety and an accused’s criminal history during bail hearings, and introduce tougher sentencing requirements for a range of serious offences linked to organized criminal activity. Effective enforcement, adequate resources for policing and prosecution, and continued collaboration between governments, utilities, recyclers, and law enforcement will be critical in reducing copper theft and disrupting illegal scrap metal supply chains. For legitimate recyclers, stronger enforcement against organized theft helps reinforce the distinction between responsible recycling businesses and criminal activity. Many recycling companies have already implemented rigorous supplier verification, transaction documentation, and material tracking procedures to help prevent stolen metal from entering legitimate recycling streams.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

NEWS ROOM automated equipment stations that feature optical sorting and artificial intelligence technology. This operation is expected to process more than 175,000 tons of recyclables per year and produce higher-quality recycled cardboard, paper, metal, plastic, and glass that will be used by manufacturers as feedstock. The facility is part of WM’s plans to invest more than $1.4 billion in 39 new and upgraded recycling facilities across North America from 2022 to 2027.

EPA STUDY CONFIRMS 99 PERCENT PFAS DESTRUCTION

WM OPENS 45-TPH RECYCLING FACILITY IN COLORADO

M recently opened its new $110 million Denver East Recycling Facility & Hauling Site in Aurora, Colorado. The technology deployed at the facility can process up to 45 tons of material per hour, providing crucial recycling infrastructure to Colorado as the state continues to roll out its free recycling collection program for residents. The 84,000-square-foot facility features nearly two miles of conveyors that carry materials through more than 30 advanced

eworld’s Lake County Thermomechanical Treatment Facility (TTF) in Okahumpka, Florida, received the results from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study that validated the effectiveness of PFAS destruction at Reworld TTFs. The study used a conservative surrogate compound that is more difficult to destroy than other PFAS. The TTF process destroyed up to 99 percent of the surrogate compound, and measured concentrations of all PFAS compounds tested were either non-detectable or well below ambient air quality standards. No products of incomplete combustion were observed during normal operating conditions. The EPA study, conducted in spring 2024, was evaluated in conditions representative of how PFAS appear in municipal, commercial, and industrial waste streams. As the PFAS content

THERE’S A FORTUNE HIDDEN IN YOUR SCRAP

Rotary shear

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Separation line

STEINERT EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN MEXICO

TEINERT has expanded its global presence into Mexico with a new local office. The company will support recycling organizations and scrap processors in the region through increased market proximity and enhanced service capabilities. By establishing a stronger presence in Mexico, STEINERT will be able to respond more directly to recyclers’ requirements throughout the entire life cycle of their sorting and separation systems, supported by a dedicated warehouse and local spare parts availability.

of incoming waste cannot be precisely quantified, the EPA study used a conservative, stable fluorinated surrogate gas injected into the furnace to evaluate the destruction efficiency. PFAS are embedded in thousands of everyday products and materials, creating a continuous stream of these persistent chemicals into the waste system. As carpets, textiles, paper products, packaging, and other consumer goods reach the end of their useful lives, they are routinely disposed of in municipal solid waste where PFAS can persist unless permanently destroyed. The EPA study advances the scientific understanding of how TTFs perform when managing PFAS compounds in waste streams. Reworld TTFs operate with a processing capacity 17 times greater than hazardous waste incineration.

GREYPARROT SECURES $27M IN FUNDING TO ADVANCE AI WASTE SORTING RATES

reyparrot raised $27 million in Series B funding. The investment follows a major milestone for Greyparrot’s AI, which has now detected more than one trillion waste objects. With the new funding, the company aims to scale its technology to help abate more than one million tonnes of waste by 2030 by improving accuracy and compliance while providing recyclers with essential data on the material flows in their facilities.

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AMP INSTALLS 25-TPH MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE SORTING SYSTEM

he Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) in Michigan is partnering with AMP to deploy an AMP ONE municipal solid waste processing system to increase recovery rates of valuable commodities from mixed waste. The AMP ONE system will return items such as cardboard and select plastics to productive uses while improving the thermal characteristics of the remaining waste stream before it reaches the waste-to-energy process. Municipal solid waste contains significant quantities of recyclable materials that aren’t captured by traditional recycling programs. By recovering these materials on a 25-tph line before downstream processing, Kent County can increase resource recovery, preserve landfill capacity, and return valuable materials to productivity.

BATTERY RECYCLING PARTICIPATION HINGES ON STRONG CONSUMER AWARENESS

new study from Cirba Solutions found that most Americans experience a critical gap in consumer knowledge and don’t know where or how to recycle lithium-ion batteries. Roughly 91 percent of Americans say that they would recycle lithium-ion batteries if doing so were as easy as throwing them away. Cirba Solutions is addressing the barriers identified in its research. Reasons include no convenient collection point, uncertainty about preparation, and safety concerns around storage and transport. Community education programs teach consumers how to identify battery types, prepare them properly for recycling, and find nearby drop-off locations.

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designed to help automotive recyclers manage vehicle acquisition, yard operations, inventory, customer communications, and enterprise performance.

AMY LESTITION BURKE STEPS DOWN AS SWANA CEO

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS INVEST IN CRUSH

everal automotive recycling organizations have made strategic investments in Crush Software Solutions (CRUSH). Experienced operators will help guide the development of technology specifically built to improve operations for automotive recyclers. The strategic investors include Pull-A-Part, EZ Pull N Pay, and Kenny U-Pull, which operates as part of American Iron & Metal. Collectively, the organizations bring decades of experience in vehicle acquisition, self-service automotive recycling, multi-location operations, metals processing, environmental stewardship, and customer service. Crush Software Solutions develops cloud-based technology

my Lestition Burke has stepped down as CEO and Executive Director of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). While the association’s board of directors searches for Burke’s successor, Carolyn Muller, Vice President of Industry Engagement, will serve as acting CEO.

MACHINEX APPOINTS NEW SALES MANAGER

achinex has appointed Madison Schmalz as Western Region Sales Manager. Serving as a sales engineer with Machinex since February 2023, Schmalz will now transition into a customer-facing sales role based in Phoenix, Arizona. Schmalz will collaborate with the sales team to strengthen customer relationships throughout the Western Region.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

SPOTLIGHT

INTRODUCTIONS & UPDATES

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

LINDNER SHREDDER

Lindner’s diesel-powered Merak 2800 mobile universal shredder operates independently of the main power supply on a job site, offering greater flexibility with reduced infrastructure requirements compared to its electric counterpart. Using three rotor concepts and interchangeable screens, the shredder adapts to various material flows, including wood waste, plastics, industrial and commercial waste, and household waste. The cutting system features coarse pre-processing through to final shredding, putting out particle sizes ranging from 30 to 350 millimetres.

FINLAY HORIZONTAL IMPACT CRUSHERS

Finlay’s I-130 and I-130RS horizontal impact crushers fill out its crusher lineup, with the I-130 model designed for quarrying, recycling, asphalt, and demolition operations where consistent product shaping is required. The machine features a 42-by-49-inch four-bar rotor with twin hydraulic aprons, and material is delivered to the chamber through a heavy-duty vibrating grizzly feeder. For closed-loop crushing and on-board screening, the I-130RS integrates a high-capacity, two-deck afterscreen and recirculation system. A key feature of the I-130RS is its modular design, allowing the machine to be quickly transported when screening is not required.

VERMEER TROMMEL SCREEN

Vermeer’s TR6500TX tracked trommel screen features a newly designed steel-tracked chassis, providing on-site mobility that reduces the amount of equipment needed to relocate the machine. Setting up the screen is quick and precise with the digital drum angle readout and optional outriggers, allowing the operator to optimize the drum angle for various material types. The TR6500TX is powered by a 120-hp CAT 3.6L engine and features a 20-foot-long, 6.5-foot-diameter quick-change tension screen drum to sort up to 180 cubic yards of material per hour.

SSI SHREDDING SYSTEMS FINISHERS

SSI Shredding Systems’ Uni-Shear SR600F and SR900F finishers are engineered to process high volumes of material with particle sizes as small as four millimetres. Both finishers use optimized cutter geometry and multiple cutting opportunities per revolution to maximize throughput. Depending on the material and screen size (ranging from four to 50 millimetres), the units can achieve throughput rates of between two and 25 tonnes an hour. Ideal applications for both the SR600F and SR900F finishers include insulated copper wire, radiators, tire rubber, plastics, paper, and refuse-derived fuels.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

COVER STORY

Founder Marsha Serlin and her son, USM President Brad Serlin, have guided the company through nearly five decades of growth. Photos by Jamie Link.

GROWTH BY DESIGN HOW UNITED SCRAP METAL SCALED FROM ONE TRUCK TO A NATIONAL RECYCLING OPERATION BY MEGHAN BARTON, SENIOR WRITER

COVER STORY

uccess stories in the recycling industry often begin with a compelling origin story. United Scrap Metal’s is no exception. In 1978, Marsha Serlin started the company with $200, a rented truck, and determination to support her two children. The single mother had no experience in the scrap business. On her first day, she rented the wrong truck (a closed-top truck instead of the intended open-top type), and made the rounds to local yards looking for somewhere to sell her scrap. It did not go as she thought it would. “I think she went into eight different scrapyards, all of which kicked her out, told her to ‘Go home. Watch your kids, get out of here, lady.’ The scrap industry, it’s a male industry,” recalls her son, Brad Serlin, now President of United Scrap Metal (USM). “Finally, the ninth location that she visited, they gave her a hand and helped her. And we remained loyal to that company for a relationship [that] spanned almost 30 years until they were no longer in business. She never forgot.” For Brad, staying connected to the company’s past means carrying those same small-business principles into a much larger organization. They continue to shape everything from customer relationships and leadership development to community involvement.

I think what my mom identified early was that anybody can do the easy work. But who’s willing to take on the labour-intensive, challenging work that just requires a lot of ingenuity? You have to be willing to take a risk and just do it. Brad Serlin President, United Scrap Metal

Nearly five decades later, United Scrap Metal operates 11 locations across nine states and employs roughly 800 people, making it one of the country’s largest privately held recycling companies. The company purchases, processes, and markets ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other recyclable commodities, serving customers across manufacturing, metal service centres, utilities, construction, and demolition. The company’s growth is the product of something much larger than geographical expansion alone. Brad believes its success reflects decades of deliberate decisions about the kind of company USM wanted to become.

DOING THE WORK OTHERS WOULDN’T The company’s willingness to tackle difficult work predates its first permanent facility. Brad remembers his mother taking on cleanouts, auction salvage, insurance claims, and virtually any opportunity that

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

required determination more than experience. She coldcalled prospective customers, knocked on doors, and pursued opportunities whenever she found them. Marsha’s approach led to some unconventional contracts: when a leading sporting equipment manufacturer had an insurance claim for footballs and golf balls that fell off a semi-truck, she cleaned them up and resold the sporting goods. Her willingness to figure things out was also invaluable during Chicago’s blizzard of 1979 when nobody was running trucks on the road. Marsha learned that a major food conglomerate’s canning plant couldn’t move scrap out because of the snow, so USM stepped in and ran their entire truck fleet back and forth throughout the day hauling loose tin plate from the facility. USM’s work kept material moving and allowed the plant to continue operations. “I think what my mom identified early was that anybody can do the easy work,” Brad says. “But who’s willing to take on the labour-intensive, challenging work that just requires a lot of ingenuity? You have to be willing to take a risk and just do it.” That mindset would become one of the company’s defining characteristics.

LESSONS FROM THE YARD

When Brad joined United Scrap Metal after graduating from Arizona State University in 1989, he expected to spend only a year in the business before attending law school. “I originally took my law school admission test, and I was going to go to law school,” he says. “This was going to be my gap year. It was going to be spent at United Scrap Metal in the back of the yard cleaning, organizing, and just working hard to save up some money and then go back to school. There was no pressure to come inside the business.” Instead, Brad found himself captivated by the operational side of recycling. Working six days a week in the yard, he supervised projects, dispatched trucks, marketed commodities, managed the company’s early recycling centre, and learned every aspect of operations first-hand. “I loved it out back,” he says. “That’s where I built my foundational knowledge.” Those years proved formative. It would be eight years before Marsha pulled him into the front office. By then, United Scrap Metal had reached a point where she needed help managing its growth. “She was just like, ‘Help. Come on up. We’re growing this thing fast. There’s not enough of me to go around, and you’ve been in the operation long enough,’” Brad recalls. “Usually . . . the next generation [are being dragged] outside because they don’t want to get dirty. They don’t want to do that type of work. I was opposite. I didn’t want to go in the front office.” After spending nearly a decade learning the business from the yard and developing an understanding of the physical realities of moving, processing, and marketing scrap, Brad’s operational experience continues to influence how the company approaches growth today.

BUILDING SYSTEMS, NOT JUST FACILITIES

United Scrap Metal’s expansion wasn’t driven by opening locations for the sake of increasing geographic coverage. In-

USM’s growth from a one-truck operation to a multi-state recycler remains grounded in the realities of the scrap business.

Utility recycling is one of USM’s core specialties, with programs designed for the compliance demands of highly regulated customers.

COVER STORY stead, the company identified operational challenges in specific industries and designed comprehensive recycling programs to address them. One of the earliest examples came through the utility sector. At the time, a major utility company worked with multiple recycling vendors and invited each to propose improvements. According to Brad, United Scrap Metal was the only one out of nine companies that responded with an entirely new operating model. USM proposed consolidating the utility’s entire recycling program, replacing individual vendors with one integrated system. The company would coordinate recycling across nuclear and fossil-fuel generation plants, substations, field operations, and individual projects and provide the reporting and oversight required to manage the program as a whole. That decision became a turning point. “That turned out to be a catalyst to our growth,” Brad says. “From there, we replicated that program across the country.” Today, utility recycling remains one of United Scrap Metal’s core specialties. The company developed the compliance, reporting, and destruction processes required by highly regulated industries while maintaining high levels of pollution insurance. Those capabilities allowed USM to expand beyond processing material, helping customers manage compliance, reduce liability, improve sustainability, and recover greater value from their scrap streams.

GROWING WITHOUT DILUTING CULTURE The utility program demonstrated that United Scrap Metal could replicate its operating model. The company’s next challenge was ensuring it could replicate its culture. When expanding into new markets, United Scrap Metal moves experienced team members into new locations to help establish operations and carry the company’s culture forward before local hiring begins. The company reinforces that culture through practices that are surprisingly personal for an organization of roughly 800 employees. Every new team member receives a handwritten welcome note from Brad. Work anniversaries are acknowledged with handwritten letters and gift cards. Managers write monthly notes recognizing team contributions as part of the company’s incentive program. Those gestures aren’t treated as optional. “They’re the rules of the road,” Brad says. Behind those personal touches sits a more structured approach to leadership development. United in Leadership (UiL), the company’s internal leadership program, was created as United Scrap Metal expanded geographically. Participants develop communication skills, complete leadership projects, and present their work to senior executives. The objective is to prepare future leaders who understand the company’s culture as thoroughly as they understand its operations. Brad points to numerous team members who began in operational roles before advancing into executive positions, including leaders who relocated multiple times to help establish new operations. “We have so many living success stories,” he says.

PERFORMANCE AS A GROWTH STRATEGY

But culture alone doesn’t build an organization operating across nine states. For Brad, culture only matters if it

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Marsha Serlin founded United Scrap Metal in 1978 with $200 and a rented truck.

We feel it’s incumbent upon businesses to give back. Think outside of their four walls and be a part of the solution. Brad Serlin supports performance. When asked which of United Scrap Metal’s core values best defines the company today, he pauses between passion and performance before settling on the latter. “I would say performance,” he says. “That’s going to drive our growth and the expansion of the enterprise. Really what we’re all about is building a bigger enterprise that affords our team members opportunities to grow in the future.” Every team member participates in a company-wide incentive program tied to six organizational goals rather than individual locations. The objective is to encourage collaboration instead of internal competition. Leadership development, team recognition, operational excellence, safety, and wellness all receive the same attention as production metrics. For Brad, measuring performance also means measuring how well the company creates opportunities for team members to grow. USM has supported team members pursuing MBAs,

promoted leaders from within, and encouraged them to build careers across multiple operational roles before moving into executive positions.

PURPOSE BEYOND PROCESSING SCRAP Although operational excellence receives significant attention, Brad insists that USM’s mission extends beyond recycling commodities. Community involvement is woven into the company’s identity. Team members volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, veterans’ organizations, environmental initiatives, and numerous local programs. Monthly company-wide initiatives encourage teams to support different causes, and events, such as the company’s annual recycling fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House, bring together USM, customers, families, and local residents. “We feel it’s incumbent upon businesses to give back,” he says. “Think outside of their four walls and be a part of the solution.”

NEVER STANDING STILL

Brad believes the company’s longevity depends on something far less tangible than its facilities, geographical footprint, or processing capacity. It depends on resisting complacency. “It’s the kiss of death in business,” he says. “We’ve seen great companies just go downhill . . . They don’t stay with the times. We never put our heads in the sand.” That mindset shapes the company’s long-term planning. Its current road map, United in 2028, outlines ambitious opera-

USM brings experienced team members into new markets to establish operations and preserve its culture as it grows.

I think our mission and our core values are never going to change. We’re never going to stray away from what has gotten us here. Brad Serlin tional, geographic, and organizational goals leading into United Scrap Metal’s 50th anniversary. According to Brad, the company has already achieved one major milestone two years ahead of schedule. The leadership team immediately turned its attention to the next challenge and to setting the next goal. Brad credits that relentless drive for improvement to his mother. “My mom’s never fully satisfied,” he says. “I can thank her for that trait.” Nearly 50 years after Marsha Serlin started the company with $200 and the wrong rented truck, the company continues to look ahead without losing sight of the values that shaped its beginnings. “I think our mission and our core values are never going to change,” Brad says. “We’re never going to stray away from what has gotten us here.” RPN

USM invests in developing talent from within, helping team members advance from operational roles into leadership positions.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

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The P3000e is engineered to process a wide variety of materials, including municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste, bulky waste, wood waste, construction and demolition debris, biomass, and baled materials. By combining proven mechanical design with modern electric-drive technology, M&J delivers an energy-efficient solution that helps facilities maximize uptime, reduce operating costs, and provide consistent material preparation for downstream processing.

The P3000e incorporates M&J’s proprietary ReCapture technology, an energy recovery system that transfers energy between the motors during shaft reversals. This intelligent power management system has been validated to reduce energy consumption by up to 25 percent, helping operators lower overall operating costs without sacrificing performance. Operators can leverage real-time data from the monitoring system for both daily operation and preventive maintenance.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

OPERATION At the heart of the P3000e is M&J’s patented twin-shaft shredding system with large knives and bi-directional shaft rotation. The open cutting table allows small contaminants, such as stones or metal pieces, to fall through rather than remaining in the cutting chamber, reducing unnecessary wear, improving uptime, and helping maintain a consistent material flow to downstream equipment. The machine also integrates intelligent controls and monitoring systems that provide operators with real-time performance data.

The M&J P3000e electric pre-shredder.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

NON-FERROUS PROCESSING

Q&A

TYLER ROTHSTEIN ON THE GROWING COMPLEXITY OF E-WASTE BY SLONE FOX, EDITOR Electronic devices are becoming an increasingly large part of what eventually ends up as waste. As sealed designs and embedded lithium-ion batteries make disassembly more hazardous, and as connected technology spreads into products that were never considered e-waste before, recyclers are under growing pressure to keep pace. I caught up with Tyler Rothstein, Head of Electronics Recycling at John Ross & Sons Ltd., to discuss his path into the industry, the biggest misconceptions around e-waste, and where the recycling sector is headed as more everyday products become electronic.

Slone Fox

How did you get your start in the recycling industry, and what ultimately drew you toward electronics recycling?

Tyler Rothstein

I first entered the recycling industry three years ago. At the time, I was studying at Dalhousie University to earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I was enrolled in the co-op program, where students have the opportunity to complete three internships throughout their studies. Like many other university students, I was still trying to determine what kind of career path I wanted to pursue. That changed when I met the Ross family and discovered an opportunity with John Ross & Sons Ltd. I was given the chance to gain first-hand experience in the metal recycling business. I learned by being directly involved, asking questions, and working alongside mentors who had spent their careers in the industry. I quickly realized that recycling was much more complex than I had previously thought.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

As I gained experience, I became especially involved and interested in electronics recycling. E-waste sits at the intersection of technology, commodity markets, and environmental responsibility. Products and materials in the technology sector are constantly evolving, so there is always something new to learn. What began as my second university co-op placement ultimately developed into the exciting career I have today. I currently head the electronics recycling division at John Ross & Sons Ltd. It was not the path I expected to take when I started, but it is one I am extremely proud of.

What is the biggest misconception people have about e-waste recycling?

The biggest misconception is that electronics are no different from more familiar recyclable materials. People often see an old computer, television, or cellphone as a single item, but electronics are much more complex than they appear on the outside.

Using an appropriate recycling program helps ensure that devices are handled and disposed of responsibly.

Technology changes quickly, and even two devices that perform the same function may need to be treated differently by recyclers depending on their age, design, and manufacturer. That variety makes electronics recycling a specialized and constantly evolving part of the broader recycling industry. I also think people underestimate the importance of the product life cycle of electronics. Devices do not simply disappear when they are replaced. Electronics recyclers have a responsibility to help divert these items into the appropriate streams while educating people about the importance of recycling them properly. Unwanted electronics should not be treated like ordinary garbage. Using an appropriate recycling program helps ensure that devices are handled and disposed of responsibly. That small decision by the consumer is where the entire recycling process begins.

How have sealed devices and difficult-to-remove batteries affected electronics recycling?

Sealed devices and difficult-to-remove batteries are among the biggest hazards facing electronics recyclers. As electronics have become thinner, lighter, and more compact, hazardous materials have become increasingly difficult to identify. They may be enclosed inside a device, difficult to see, or challenging to remove without the appropriate knowledge and tools. This is a significant issue that recyclers everywhere face when handling end-of-life materials. Batteries are one of the most important considerations. In electronics recycling, we encounter lithium-ion batteries in many different types of devices. These batteries require particular care. Fires involving them have been occurring more frequently throughout the industry. A lack of appropriate knowledge and tools can lead to serious consequences. Products that are harder to disassemble require more time and care during processing before their different materials can be separated. Manufacturers’ product designs directly affect what happens at the end of an electronic product’s life. Designing devices with safe battery access and eventual recycling in mind can make a meaningful difference.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

NON-FERROUS PROCESSING

Sealed devices and difficult-to-remove batteries are among the biggest hazards facing electronics recyclers.

What’s the biggest technological or market shift you expect to reshape e-waste recycling in the next five to ten years? I believe the biggest shift will be the growing amount of technology built into new everyday products. E-waste is no longer limited to items such as computers, laptops, televisions, and phones. Today, batteries, sensors, and connected technology are found in household appliances, tools, toys, vehicles, and even furniture. As more everyday products become electronic, the definition of e-waste will continue to expand. Items that once would have entered traditional waste streams may now contain electronic components that require more careful consideration. The scale of this issue becomes more significant every day. For the recycling industry, the challenge will be keeping pace with the speed of technological change. Products are evolving faster than ever, and recyclers will need to remain informed and adaptable as electronics become an even larger part of everyday life.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

What do you enjoy most about working in the recycling industry?

What I enjoy most is the variety. No two days are the same. I constantly encounter different products, materials, and challenges along the way. One day might involve learning about an unfamiliar piece of technology, while another could involve helping customers better understand how to recycle their electronics properly. I also enjoy how relationship-driven the recycling industry is. I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible people so far. These relationships have played an important role in developing my skills and understanding of the industry. Recycling electronics and helping reduce landfill waste is very rewarding. I get to play a part in helping the environment every day at work, and that is something I am personally very proud of. Most of all, electronics recycling keeps me excited. Technology changes very quickly, which means the material entering the recycling stream changes along with it. There will always be new products to understand and new challenges to solve. RPN

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MRF TECHNOLOGY

FROM VISION TO INTELLIGENCE HOW MACHINEX’S MIND PLATFORM IS RESHAPING WHAT RECYCLING EQUIPMENT CAN SEE AND DO BY MEGHAN BARTON, SENIOR WRITER

achinex’s MIND platform — made up of AI-enabled technologies including SamurAI, MIND Vision, Hyspec MIND, and MIND Airpulse — builds on the company’s experience in cameras, optical sorting, robotics, data collection, and analytics. These technologies already allowed equipment to detect material, automate sorting tasks, and generate information about what was moving through a recycling facility. Artificial intelligence has added another layer to those capabilities. One of Machinex’s early applications of AI was in robotic sorting. AI-powered vision identified targeted material and directed its SamurAI sorting robot to pick it from the belt. Machinex later extended those capabilities to MIND Vision, using AI to identify material without physically sorting it and to collect data about the material as it moves through the facility. Using computer vision and machine learning, AI can recognize and classify objects based on visual characteristics, allowing equipment to distinguish between materials that conventional detection technologies may see as the same. That intelligence has since been integrated with other sorting technologies. Hyspec MIND combines AI-driven vision with optical sorting, while MIND Airpulse uses AI recognition to identify targeted material before compressed air ejects it from the stream. Each step expanded both what the equipment could recognize and the technology’s learning curve. What began with AI informing individual sorting decisions has evolved into a broader opportunity to use data gathered by individual machines to improve material identification, understand system performance, and eventually allow equipment to respond to changing conditions elsewhere in the sorting process. MIND brings that progression together, connecting AI-driven recognition and the data it generates with the sorting equipment designed to act on it. For Machinex, developing those capabilities alongside its equipment also gives the company greater flexibility over how that intelligence can be applied across the sorting system.

BUILDING AI IN-HOUSE

Machinex began its AI development with an internal team of experts. As applications expanded and customers began seeing value in the technology, the company created a dedicated division around MIND. Developing those capabilities internally was a deliberate choice. Beyond giving Machinex control over its AI develop-

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Everybody is learning, both manufacturers and operators, what data is useful and what data do we just really not need? Chris Hawn CEO, Machinex Technologies ment, it gives the company ownership of the information those systems generate. “We’ve always been a big proponent of building our own machines and having control over our destiny,” says Sébastien Roy, Director of Sales Engineering at Machinex. For Chris Hawn, CEO of Machinex Technologies, the opportunity lies in owning the available data so that it can be leveraged for purposes beyond just a spreadsheet. That ownership is important because Machinex ultimately wants the information collected by one machine to inform how other equipment operates within a system. Instead of treating AI as a separate layer, the objective is to integrate it with the sorting equipment Machinex already designs. Bringing those capabilities together allows Machinex to look beyond individual AI-enabled machines toward how information could eventually influence the broader sorting system.

SEEING BEYOND MATERIAL COMPOSITION

Machinex’s MIND platform builds on the company’s experience in sorting, vision, robotics, and data, adding AI to expand what recycling equipment can see and do.

Conventional optical sorting technology can identify materials based on composition. AI adds another layer of recognition, using visual characteristics, such as shape, colour, labels, and recurring patterns, to distinguish between objects made from the same material. A bottle and a clamshell tray, for example, may both be made from PET, but a facility may need to separate them into different recovery streams. AI can use their visual characteristics to make that distinction. The same capability can be applied to identify specific food-grade polypropylene packaging or distinguish foil and food cans from used beverage containers. Those finer distinctions can help recyclers recover more targeted materials; produce cleaner, more precisely separated commodity streams; and automate sorting decisions that previously depended on human eyes. As an AI model learns to recognize more packaging within a category, its ability to make those distinctions improves. But recognition alone does not sort the material. The equipment still has to physically act on that information at the speed and volume required by the application. That has been one of the lessons of AI’s early adoption in recycling. Roy says the initial enthusiasm around robotic sorting sometimes overlooked the limitations of the mechanical equipment paired with the intelligence behind it. An AI model may recognize a target with high accuracy, but the value of that recognition still depends on whether the machine can physically sort the material at the required speed and volume. “There’s no way that an arm and an AI is a solution to everything,” Roy says.

MIND helps machines see more, make better sorting decisions, and turn material data into actionable insights across the facility.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

MRF TECHNOLOGY The question, then, is not simply how much of a sorting facility can be automated, but how much automation makes operational and economic sense. In some cases, human sorters may still be the more practical and cost-effective option. For now, Roy says, “It’s always been a fine balance between technology and the cost of manual labour.” For Machinex, the opportunity is in pairing AI recognition with the sorting technology best-suited to each sorting task. That can mean directing a SamurAI robotic arm, adding another layer of recognition to a conventional optical sorter with Hyspec MIND, or using compressed air to eject targeted material with MIND Airpulse.

THE VALUE IS IN THE DATA

The effectiveness of these AI models depends on the images used to train them and, critically, how those images are classified. Machinex has labelled more than 100 categories of material. Human input remains involved in making sure captured images are assigned to the correct categories so the model learns the right distinctions. “The quantity is one thing, but how you manage it, and the quality of the data, is going to be instrumental,” Roy says. The models can then evolve as they encounter new material. If an item is not being recognized properly, an operator can place it under the camera while Machinex accesses the system remotely, collects additional images, and uses them to improve the model. There is no definitive endpoint to that machine-learning process. Asked how long the learning curve lasts, Hawn’s answer is simple: “Infinite, because it’s always going to be changing.” Existing models can also provide a starting point for other facilities processing similar material streams. During recent retrofits of three plants operated by the same organization, Machinex developed multiple models for the first installation. Roy says the system was performing as expected on day one and final levels of optimization came after roughly one or two weeks of tweaking and tuning. Those models were then reused and further improved for the company’s subsequent installations, with improvements transferred back to earlier systems.

FROM COLLECTING DATA TO USING IT

As the volume of available information grows, the next challenge is deciding what is actually useful. “Everybody is learning, both manufacturers and operators, what data is useful and what data do we just really not need?” Hawn says. Different users also want different information. Operations personnel may want to understand material composition or identify where the system is underperforming. Management may be more interested in revenue. Other teams may use the information to identify opportunities for future investment. Machinex already offers its MACH Intell platform, which allows customers with camera-equipped machinery to see a breakdown of the material stream detected by those machines. The company plans to begin rolling out expanded dashboards in 2027, adding more real-time data, tonnage information, and customizable thresholds that can alert users when conditions move outside selected parameters. The objective is not simply to expose every available data point. Roy explains that Machinex is careful not to inundate the customer with data that they may not know what to do with.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

MIND uses AI-powered vision to identify and classify individual objects based on their visual characteristics.

Machinex is working with operators to determine what information should be displayed and how reporting can make it easier to act on. “We’re investing substantial effort to make the visuals speak and to [create] custom reporting of things that are good information for our customers,” he says. “Making the data more useful is a very big chunk right now of our R&D.”

WHEN MACHINES START TALKING TO MACHINES

Today, most autonomous MIND decisions remain at the individual machine level: recognize an object and determine whether to sort it. “People think of the world where it’s doing it all by itself,” Hawn says. “It’s not there yet. That’s a direction it’s going.” “Really, the AI is limited to single machines that work in a larger ecosystem,” Roy says. The broader facility, however, remains human-operated. Decisions such as when to start and stop the system, how fast it should run, and when safety-related intervention is required still remain with people. The next step is to automate those individual decisions. A camera monitoring a residue stream, for example, could identify that too much recyclable material is leaving the facility. Today, that information can trigger an alarm, and an operator can respond by slowing the system or making another adjustment. Machinex envisions a future in which the equipment itself could respond, reducing system speed or adjusting another machine until recovery returns to the desired range. The technology needed to move toward autonomous MRF operation is already available, but the economics have not yet reached a point where the market can broadly justify that level of investment. Safety requirements, material volumes, economics, and the capabilities of the sorting equipment all influence how far automation makes operational sense today. For now, the evolution is more practical: help machines see more, use those observations to make better sorting decisions, turn the resulting data into useful operational information, and gradually connect those insights across the facility. “AI is just another tool in our toolbox,” Roy says. “It’s a big one, but the rest has to follow.” RPN

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MATERIAL HANDLERS

WHAT DEFINES THE NEXT GENERATION OF MATERIAL HANDLERS? TECHNOLOGY, ALTERNATIVE POWER, AND A GREATER FOCUS ON UPTIME ARE CHANGING THE PRODUCTIVITY EQUATION FOR RECYCLERS BY KEN SINGER, PUBLISHER

t scrap recycling yards, the material handler has a deceptively simple and instrumental job: pick up material, move it, put it down, and repeat that cycle hundreds of times per shift. But getting more productivity from that cycle relies on considerably more sophisticated tools and methods. Reach, lifting capacity, and hydraulic performance remain critical specifications in material handlers, but manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond the traditional measures of material handler performance. Operator-assistance systems have the potential to reduce unnecessary movements. Electric drives are changing the energy and maintenance equation. Cameras and detection systems are improving visibility and safety around the machine. Energy recovery systems are reducing fuel consumption. Even parts availability and dealer service are a critical part of the discussion around machine productivity. Recent developments from Caterpillar, Liebherr, SENNEBOGEN, and Brandt illustrate how differently manufacturers are approaching the same fundamental challenge: how can recyclers move more material while reducing the time, energy, operator effort, and downtime required to do it?

The result is a new generation of material handling equipment where productivity is increasingly about much more than tons per hour.

MAKE EVERY MOVEMENT COUNT

Caterpillar’s new MH3032 material handler provides one example of how technology is changing the repetitive work at the heart of recycling operations. The 30-tonne machine fills the gap between the MH3026 and MH3040 material handlers and brings the company’s Next Generation architecture into this size class. According to Caterpillar, the guiding principle behind the machine is straightforward: move and sort waste, scrap, or recyclables in as little time as possible, with as few movements and as little fuel as possible, without sacrificing safety or operator comfort. The MH3032 has nearly 15 metres of reach and is available with drop-nose and straight-stick configurations. A standard 1-cubic-metre Cat orange-peel grapple targets typical scrap applications, and an optional 20-kW generator enables the machine to operate a magnet. More telling about where material handler design is heading, however, is the technology in the machine.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Cat Payload provides operators with information about how much material is being lifted in each load and allows them to continuously monitor tonnage output. Instead of simply knowing that material is moving, operators can see how productive those movements are. Cat 2D E-fence establishes a predefined working area for the boom, including keeping it away from the elevated cab. Swing Assist can automatically stop swing motion at an operator-defined preset point. In an application where a machine may swing between the same two points

Caterpillar’s MH3032 material handler.

hundreds of times per shift, eliminating even small amounts of unnecessary movement can matter. Caterpillar says technologies such as these can reduce operator fatigue associated with repetitive tasks, while optimized movements can generate incremental improvements in time and fuel consumption. This is an important distinction in the discussion around automation. A material handler doesn’t necessarily need to operate autonomously to benefit from automation. Automating or assisting individual repetitive functions can allow

the operator to concentrate on positioning the machine, managing the material, and maintaining production.

ELECTRIFICATION WITHOUT SACRIFICING PRODUCTION

While Caterpillar is targeting the efficiency of individual movements, Liebherr’s new LH 60 M Industry E, introduced at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, tackles another increasingly important part of the productivity equation: how the machine is powered.

The electric material handler has an operating weight between 56.5 and 65 tonnes and is intended for demanding applications, including scrap, waste, and industrial material handling. Rather than relying on batteries, the machine uses a cable connection. The exhibition machine featured an 82-foot (25-metre) trailing cable, and optional self-winding systems are available with 164- or 328-foot (50- or 100-metre) cables. This makes the technology particularly interesting for recycling facilities where a material handler operates within a relatively predictable work zone.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

MATERIAL HANDLERS

Liebherr’s LH 60 M Industry E electric material handler.

At the heart of the LH 60 M Industry E is a 180-kW electric motor that powers the machine’s primary working movements. A separate 15-kW motor supplies auxiliary systems and components, which ensures even energy distribution and maximum energy efficiency. Liebherr combines the electric drive with its energy recovery cylinder system for a stated total system output of 334 kW. Liebherr says the electric machine delivers the same performance and speed as a comparable conventional diesel-powered machine. For recyclers, that is an important part of the electrification discussion. A material handler feeding a shredder, baler, or other processing equipment is part of a larger production system. Reducing emissions or energy costs offers limited value if the machine cannot maintain the throughput demanded by downstream equipment. Electrification also changes maintenance requirements. Frequency converter technology allows motor speed to be adjusted to the application and enables the machine to adapt to common power supply networks. Smooth startup avoids inrush-current peaks and

is intended to reduce stress on hydraulic drive components. Removing the diesel engine eliminates several familiar maintenance requirements as well. Liebherr points to longer inspection and maintenance intervals along with the elimination of fuel filters, oil filters, and oil changes as contributors to reduced downtime and service costs. For the right application, the business case for electrification extends beyond eliminating local operating emissions. Energy consumption, noise, service requirements, and machine availability all become part of the calculation.

UPTIME BECOMES A DESIGN PRIORITY

Brandt’s BMH60A introduces another consideration to the material handler productivity discussion: what happens when the machine isn’t working. Developed specifically for steel manufacturing, scrap metal, and recycling applications, Brandt positions the BMH60A as a North American–designed, built, and supported heavy-duty material handler.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

The company has put particular emphasis on parts availability. The machine uses John Deere components aligned with North American standards, which Brandt says makes replacement parts easier and quicker to source. That may not have the immediate visibility of a new assistance system or alternative powertrain, but downtime can quickly erase productivity gains achieved elsewhere. A machine capable of faster cycles produces nothing when it is waiting for a replacement component. Brandt has combined this serviceability strategy with technology designed to reduce operating costs. The BMH60A incorporates an energy recovery system as well as automatic idle and shutdown functions to improve fuel efficiency and reduce component wear. The machine is also designed around rapid cycle times, visibility, ease of operation, and operator comfort. The development process is noteworthy as well. Brandt says its material handler lineup was developed through extensive consultation with contractors and operators, with productivity, downtime, and lower operating costs identi-

At scrap recycling yards, the material handler has a deceptively simple and instrumental job: pick up material, move it, put it down, and repeat that cycle hundreds of times per shift.

Brandt’s BMH60A material handler.

fied as central objectives. That approach highlights a broader change in how material handler productivity can be measured. Maximum lifting capacity and cycle speed matter, but so does the percentage of scheduled hours during which the machine is actually available to work.

EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF A MATERIAL HANDLER

SENNEBOGEN is approaching the movement of recyclable material from a different direction. Its 360 G is not a conventional excavator-style material handler. It is an industrial telehandler designed for demanding material handling applications, and updates introduced at IFAT 2026 expand its capabilities further. One of the most significant changes is a redesigned boom. Improved load handling and structural robustness allow the machine to use buckets with capacities up to 7 cubic metres, extending its potential in industrial material handling and recycling applications. The machine combines its boom

with a robust steel structure, powerful hydraulics, and Z-kinematics intended to provide strong power transmission and breakout forces. For recyclers, machines such as the 360 G broaden the choice of what equipment should perform a material handling job. Instead of automatically choosing between a conventional material handler and wheel loader, an operation can consider the versatility of applications required, such as digging into stockpiles, carrying materials, loading a truck, or performing several jobs during the same shift. The ability to perform multiple jobs can itself become an efficiency advantage if it allows an operation to increase machine utilization or reduce the number of specialized machines required.

DESIGNING AROUND THE OPERATOR Another common thread across this new generation of equipment is the attention paid to the person in the cab. SENNEBOGEN’s 360 G offers a configurable steering system that can use a conventional steering wheel, joy-

stick-only steering, or a combination of the two. Joystick steering replaces large steering wheel movements with smaller hand movements, an advantage in applications involving frequent direction changes and manoeuvring. The conventional steering wheel remains available for road travel. In recycling operations where machines repeatedly move forward and reverse between stockpiles, trucks, and processing equipment, reducing repetitive operator input can contribute to both comfort and productivity. The 360 G also has a new high-back comfort seat, with climate control and seat heating available as options. Caterpillar has similarly designed the MH3032 around a dedicated material handler cab, reinforcing the idea that the operator’s environment is increasingly viewed as contributing to machine performance. An operator who spends an entire shift performing repetitive loading cycles is an integral part of the machine’s productivity. Reducing unnecessary physical inputs and providing better visibility can help sustain performance throughout that shift.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

MATERIAL HANDLERS

SENNEBOGEN’s 360 G is an industrial telehandler designed for material handling applications.

A BETTER VIEW OF THE RECYCLING YARD

Visibility is particularly important because recycling facilities can be difficult environments in which to operate large equipment. Material handlers frequently work around trucks, employees, other mobile equipment, stockpiles, and processing machinery. Elevated cabs improve the operator’s view of the material, but manufacturers are increasingly supplementing that visibility with electronic systems. Caterpillar’s MH3032 uses an in-cab monitor capable of displaying two external camera views to increase visibility and hazard awareness. E-fence adds another level of protection by controlling the boom’s working envelope. SENNEBOGEN has added a camera system with integrated person detection to the 360 G. The system is designed to identify potential hazards, particularly in confined or low-visibility areas, giving the operator more information about what is happening around it. Conventional machine protection remains important. The updated 360 G

incorporates an improved tank cover, reinforced impact protection for the engine hood, and additional protective grilles for the windshield. SENNEBOGEN says the measures are intended to improve durability, reduce downtime and increase operational reliability.

LOOK BEYOND HORSEPOWER AND REACH

The developments from these four manufacturers suggest that recyclers may need to look at a broader set of criteria when evaluating their next material handler. Traditional specifications aren’t going away. Reach, operating weight, hydraulic capacity, lifting performance, and attachment compatibility will continue to determine whether a machine can perform the job. How much unnecessary swing can be eliminated? Can the operator track actual tonnage? How much fuel or electricity is consumed for every ton moved? How effectively can the operator see people and equipment around the machine? How much scheduled

40 recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

maintenance does the powertrain require? How quickly can replacement parts be obtained? And how many different jobs can one machine perform? Those questions shift the discussion from machine productivity to operational productivity. Caterpillar is using technology to optimize repetitive movements and provide operators with production information. Liebherr is demonstrating how a heavy-duty material handler can replace diesel power with electric drive while maintaining performance. SENNEBOGEN is expanding the types of machines and configurations available for moving recycling material. Brandt is emphasizing uptime, serviceability, and life cycle operating costs. They are different approaches to the same challenge. For recyclers, the best material handler will still ultimately be the machine that moves the required amount of material where it needs to go. But increasingly the competitive advantage will come from how efficiently, safely, and consistently it can move every ton over the course of its working life. RPN

HARRIS AMERICAN’S ‘CADILLAC’ DRIVING GAINS AT ILLINOIS YARD The company’s BSH stationary shear has been a true difference maker while processing ferrous metal at Hitchcock Scrap Yard Inc.

or the past year, Mike Hitchcock Sr. says he’s been running the Cadillac of shears. In mid-2025, he added a Harris American Co. BSH-30-1233B-4 stationary shear to his 30-acre yard, Hitchcock Scrap Yard Inc. (HSY) in Canton, Illinois, and the machine immediately contributed to gains in productivity and flexibility to handle more material. After the company outgrew its previous shear, the Harris American model has allowed it to process 16–18 loads per day of ferrous material such as skeleton plate and busheling, and do so 4–5 days per week rather than the seven days per week needed for the old machine. Additionally, the shear’s ability to efficiently size material like plate and busheling means HSY no longer has to bale it. Hitchcock notes that there’s still “room to grow,” with the shear allowing his yard to take on bigger jobs from industrial clients that could include as much as 50,000 tons of material sourced from demolition work. HSY accepts material from a variety of sources, including farm and industrial scrap as well as metal sized for foundries and steel mills. “We could easily shove [50,000 tons] through this machine in short order,” he says. Hitchcock says that after extensive research, he chose Harris American because

he was in search of the “heaviest-made machine there was.” In particular, he points to the thickness of the shear’s 12-foot-wide, 30-foot-long feed box, which already has allowed his yard to process 30,000 tons of oversized plate steel from the demolition of a power plant. “This is the only machine we found out there that we thought would handle pieces that size,” he says. “The squeeze box on this machine is just unreal. Nobody else has got anything like it.” Along with the BSH shear’s ability to quickly fold up metal, Hitchcock says uptime and ease of maintenance have made a big difference. Notably, blade life has doubled compared to HSY’s previous shear, and replacing them is an easier process. In fact, he says, “Everything [Harris American] has done, the wear plates inside the squeeze box, the blade guides, everything’s replaceable, so there’s very little welding that you have to do.” HSY has been in business since 1971 and Harris American has helped the company grow. In addition to the new shear, the yard has used a Harris American baler for nonferrous material for the past five years. The Cordele, Georgia-based equipment manufacturer’s focused customer service has remained an important consideration in

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Hitchcock’s decision-making process. The new shear came with extra wear parts and the ability to receive service electronically. Help also is a phone call away. “Anytime we’ve needed something, we get somebody to answer the phone,” says Hitchcock. “That’s a big deal. They answer the phone and whatever we need is shipped out the next day.” And the BSH shear has rapidly made its presence felt. “The weight and size of the machine itself, the production [stands out],” Hitchcock says. “When it says it’ll do two loads an hour, three loads an hour, that’s what it does. [Harris American] doesn’t fabricate anything. Everything that’s on their sheet is exactly what it does. Actually, maybe it does more. I’d say it’s the heaviest machine out there.”

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ALLIGATOR SHEARS

A DEEP DIVE INTO ALLIGATOR SHEARS FROM SIZE REDUCTION TO MATERIAL SEPARATION, THE SHEAR EARNS ITS PLACE IN YARDS OF EVERY SIZE BY SLONE FOX, EDITOR

alk through a hundred metal recycling yards, and you’ll find an alligator shear in nearly all of them. “I wouldn’t necessarily call it the Swiss Army knife of a recycling yard, but I would definitely call it the toothbrush because there are very few recycling yards where you would not find an alligator shear,” says Sean Abenstein, Chief Commercial Officer at Gensco Equipment. “Everybody’s got one, and everybody needs to use one.” An alligator shear serves two core purposes in a recycling operation. The first is size reduction: cutting large pieces of scrap down into more manageable and salable sizes. The second is separating different metals that are physically joined together, so each can be sorted and sold as its own grade or type of scrap. Alligator shears have been a fixture in metal recycling since before most of today’s operators were born. Abenstein traces the equipment to the pre-1900s, but it is more commonly seen in the years following World War I, when mechanically operated caststeel shears powered by large flywheels ran continuously. These machines were designed to cut ferrous and some non-ferrous metal through a cutting head, again and again, all day long. Modern shears look different from those early flywheel machines, but the core job hasn’t changed. Today’s shears are typically electric-over-hydraulic: an electric motor powers the system, but the cutting stroke is performed by a hydraulic cylinder. That combination gives the shear strength while keeping its motion slow and controlled.

SHEARS VS. TORCHES AND SAWS

Asked why an alligator shear is often preferred over torch cutting or saw cutting, Abenstein points to the machine’s design. Because the shear is hydraulically driven, it moves slowly but with enormous force. Torch cutting comes with ongoing costs — replacing tips, consuming gas — and is best suited to ferrous material like structural beams or end-of-life machinery and equipment. Saw cutting comes with a cost as well: blades wear down and need frequent replacement. Abenstein points out that both are also more dangerous and create sparks, posing a fire risk. Alligator shears, by contrast, are relatively low-maintenance

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Low maintenance by design, alligator shears don’t require the consumable costs of torches or saws.

and don’t burn through consumables at the same rate, making them the more economical choice for high-volume, repetitive cutting work, says Abenstein.

BLADES, BOLTS, AND OIL

Although alligator shears are known for requiring relatively little upkeep, they’re not maintenance-free. Abenstein walks through the main service points, a short list compared to more complex processing equipment: Blades are the primary wear item, replaced when they crack, break, or simply stop cutting effectively as they dull. Bolts are typically swapped out at the same time as blades, since worn or chipped bolts become unusable or stretched. Hydraulic oil needs changing annually. Filters are usually changed once or twice a year. Lubrication of moving joints keeps the mechanism operating smoothly.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHEAR

There’s no one-size-fits-all shear. Key questions to consider when deciding on a shear include: What kind of hold-down is needed? Shears can come with a mechanical hold-down, adjustable across three or four positions, or a hydraulic-arm hold-down for material that shifts or moves during cutting. What power is available on site? Voltage varies, and not every facility has three-phase power available. Gensco offers shears in a range of voltages to accommodate different electrical set-ups. What type of material is being cut? An operator cutting copper-aluminum radiators, for example, benefits from a shear with a longer blade, allowing them to strip materials in only one or two cuts. Blade length itself varies widely. Gensco’s current lineup spans from 12 inches up to 40 inches. In many cases,

I wouldn’t necessarily call it the Swiss Army knife of a recycling yard, but I would definitely call it the toothbrush because there are very few recycling yards where you would not find an alligator shear. Sean Abenstein Chief Commercial Officer, Gensco Equipment

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

ALLIGATOR SHEARS customers gravitate toward the size they’re already used to operating.

OPERATOR TRAINING AND SAFETY

Before a shear ever enters service, Gensco sends a safety guide covering its operation and offers direct training support by phone or video call. Beyond that, individual facilities often layer on their own safety requirements, such as perimeter barriers or additional operator training. Abenstein emphasizes that if a material is known to pose a risk, whether through combustion or by turning into a projectile, it either needs specialized guarding around the shear or shouldn’t be cut on that equipment at all. As for the skill level required, a general labourer can run a shear that’s processing the same type of material repeatedly throughout the day, a task that doesn’t demand much precision. On the other end of the spectrum, cutting high-tensile specialty materials like titanium, nickel alloy, irony aluminum, or specific grades of stainless plate calls for a more experienced, skilled operator. What matters most across the board, in Abenstein’s view, isn’t technical skill so much as competency and situational awareness.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The alligator shear scales across the entire industry. Small, family-run scrap operations use alligator shears just as much as the largest processors in North America. It does its job day

Many of today’s alligator shears pair an electric motor with a hydraulic cutting cylinder for controlled, high-force cuts.

after day, without demanding much in the way of upkeep or specialized skill for most of the material that passes through it. That combination of dependability, versatility, and low maintenance is likely why the alligator shear has held its place in recycling yards for decades, and why it shows no signs of being replaced anytime soon. RPN

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COMMODITY FOCUS

Recycled fibre shipments from and into the U.S. have been flat to low since January this year.

A REVIEW OF WANING U.S. RECOVERED PAPER TRADES AND OUTPUT THE NEAR- TO MEDIUM-TERM RECOVERED PAPER TRADE AND PRODUCTION OUTLOOK APPEARS SUBDUED BY HUBAN KASIMI

.S. recovered paper exports declined 1.2 percent between January and May 2026, while imports fell 16.7 percent annually, according to Census Bureau data. Does this trend signal strong reshoring or waning trade? During the first five months, total shipped recovered paper volumes were 5.58 million net tons (5.07 million tonnes) compared to 5.65 million net tons in the year-ago period. Import volumes in this time frame were approximately 276,000 net tons, against 332,000 net tons. Recycled fibre shipments from and into the U.S. have been flat to low since January this year. However, export volumes have held steady at about five million net tons since 2024, while import volumes have nearly halved from almost 400,000 net tons two years earlier.

Although export prices have increased recently, market participants anticipate recycled fibre export and import activity will remain moderate through the remainder of 2026.

STABLE EXPORT DEMAND

On a positive note, Asian demand for export-grade recovered paper has been unwavering. India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have remained among the top five buyers in 2026 and 2025. India and Thailand hold a majority share of total exports, with volumes between 850,000 and 900,000 net tons on average since 2024. Malaysia and Vietnam have constantly purchased 600,000–800,000 net tons, although Malaysia has bought approximately 6–12 percent lower volumes over two years. Outside of Asia, Mexico has been a constant importer, although shipments since 2024 have declined about 14 percent, to approximately 650,000 net tons, from 722,000 net tons.

LOWER IMPORTS

The U.S. has been a strong exporter of recovered paper; however, it has consistently reduced dependence on imports over time. Recent government legislation on tariff changes and disruptions to deep-sea routes have been the main drivers of falling volumes. Since 2024, shipments into the country have dropped about 35–40 percent to 276,000 net tons from 444,000 net tons. Canada and Mexico remain the top sellers; however, shipments from Mexico have decreased 50 percent on average to 6,600 net tons, down from 28,000 net tons over two years. Similarly, volumes from Canada are 15–20 percent lower, at 269,000 net tons, from 413,000 net tons.

RANGEBOUND PRICES IN 2026 AFTER WEAKENING IN 2025

In terms of export prices, the weekly Davis Index data shows the average price of #11 Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) has gradually moved up to $35 per net ton, free alongside ship (FAS) between January and May 2026. The grade reached $145 per net ton FAS in New York and Los Angeles during May, a level last seen in January 2025. Prices had trended flat for most of 2026, moving up barely five dollars per net ton every week until mid-March. Market participants indicated that the uptick began after mid-April, with the steepest incline of $20 per net ton seen around April 20 until mid-May. Export prices out of New York and Los Angeles reached an annual low of $105–106 per net ton in November 2025, with a gradual recovery after late December.

LOW DOMESTIC PRODUCTION

According to several market participants, the U.S. domestic containerboard market has been bearish this year, which has in turn affected export volumes and pricing. Data from the American Forestry and Paper Association (AF&PA) indicates that annual containerboard production has fallen three to five percent in the first half of 2025 and 2026 after climbing seven percent in the first six months of 2024. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

COMMODITY FOCUS

Market participants anticipate recycled fibre export and import activity will remain moderate through the remainder of 2026.

Moreover, total output slipped two percent annually in Q2 2026, while domestic demand improved one percent annually during the review quarter. Circular economy ESG leader and executive advisor Myles Cohen reiterated to Davis Index that domestic containerboard volumes have dropped. Structural changes such as mill closures, lightweighting, and revised packaging norms have had a much deeper impact on containerboard production. The industry has declined steadily over the last decade, compared with an annual one to three percent growth 20 years ago. According to Cohen, although 30 percent of the lost output can be regained if the economy improves, a majority (nearly 60 percent) goes into landfills, incinerators, or is disposed of. Several market participants have also hinted that local generation volumes have remained low, creating a supply-demand imbalance, with annual volumes steadily dropping. Cohen stressed that there is significant untapped potential to improve paper recycling rates from avenues besides residential collection.

48 recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Recycled fibre shipments from and into the U.S. have been flat to low since January this year. The near- to medium-term recovered paper trade and production outlook appears to be subdued. Although export prices have increased recently, market participants anticipate recycled fibre export and import activity will remain moderate through the remainder of 2026. If that forecast holds, recycled fibre prices (domestic and export) will likely remain soft to sideways until December this year. HUBAN KASIMI is the Recycled Materials Editor at Davis Index and can be reached at huban.kasimi@ davisindex.com.

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INSURANCE

THE NEW REALITIES OF LOAD THEFT AS LOAD THEFT BECOMES MORE SOPHISTICATED, RECYCLERS STRENGTHEN PROCEDURES TO PROTECT HIGH-VALUE SHIPMENTS BY MEGHAN BARTON, SENIOR WRITER

he truck arrives on time. The paperwork appears legitimate. The driver knows which shipment to collect. The truck number matches the dispatch information, and the load leaves the yard without raising suspicion. Hours later, the customer calls. The shipment never arrived. For recyclers today, load theft often begins with convincing fraud. Criminals are posing as legitimate carriers, using falsified insurance certificates and dispatch information to collect high-value loads before disappearing without a trace. According to Ryan Burns, Practice Leader with Cowan Insurance Group, organized cargo fraud is reshaping load theft risks for recyclers. Rising commodity values and evolving schemes are creating new challenges for recyclers moving high-value shipments. Protecting outbound loads requires more than securing the yard. Load theft prevention requires strong internal procedures, thorough verification, and consistent communication from the moment a shipment is scheduled until it reaches its destination.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF LOAD THEFT

For decades, recyclers have focused much of their security efforts on preventing theft from within the yard. Fencing, controlled access, lighting, and surveillance all remain important,

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

One of the most effective ways to reduce load theft is to establish consistent procedures that every employee follows, every time.

Load theft is probably the fastest-growing risk right now for recyclers. Ryan Burns Practice Leader, Cowan Insurance Group

but Burns says many of today’s losses occur after a shipment has been authorized to leave. Rather than forcing their way into a facility, organized criminal groups are finding ways to enter the shipping process before a truck ever reaches the yard. “Load theft is probably the fastest-growing risk right now for recyclers,” says Burns. “The schemes are becoming more sophisticated. The carriers, they’re showing up . . . with fake certificates of insurance. There’s fake dispatch that’s being set up. There’s load diversion tactics.” When the truck arrives, nothing appears unusual, and the

shipment is loaded and released. Only later does the recycler, the legitimate carrier, or the customer discover that the assigned truck never arrived. Because the transaction appears legitimate until after the shipment has left the yard, these incidents can be difficult to detect before it’s too late. For Burns, that shift changes how recyclers need to think about security.

WHY SCRAP IS AN ATTRACTIVE TARGET

Metal has always been valuable, but several factors make recycled commodities particularly attractive to thieves. First, values have climbed significantly. “Copper last year around this time was trading at three dollars, four dollars a pound, and now it’s over seven,” says Burns. A single outbound load of non-ferrous material can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in value. Second, scrap is inherently difficult to trace. Unlike finished products, recycled metals don’t carry serial numbers or unique identifiers. Once a shipment changes hands, is combined with other material, or is exported, recovering it becomes extremely difficult. “You can buy it in Calgary and go and sell it in Halifax, and it’s very, very hard to trace,” Burns explains. Finally, every shipment passes through multiple handoffs. Material moves from recycler to carrier, from carrier to processor, and sometimes through freight brokers or transfer facilities along the way. Each transition presents another opportunity for fraud if proper controls are not in place. For Burns, those realities make outbound shipments one of the industry’s most vulnerable points.

BUILD PROCEDURES, NOT HABITS

According to Burns, one of the most effective ways to reduce load theft has little to do with technology or physical security. It starts with establishing consistent procedures that every employee follows, every time. In many recycling operations, shipping procedures are set in stone. Veteran dispatchers and scale operators know their regular carriers, recognize familiar drivers, and can often spot something that doesn’t seem right. But Burns says relying on individual experience leaves gaps, particularly as companies grow, staff change, or new employees take on shipping responsibilities. Instead, verification should be built into the process itself. Documented procedures create consistency. They ensure that every shipment is handled the same way regardless of who is working that day, reducing the likelihood that an unusual request or convincing story will bypass normal safeguards. Burns also encourages recyclers to regularly review those procedures with employees. Criminal tactics continue to evolve, and staff who understand what to watch for are more likely to recognize suspicious situations before a load leaves the yard. One way to improve security is by creating a process that verifies every shipment the same way.

TRUST, BUT VERIFY

Even when an employee is dealing with a carrier that has hauled loads for years, Burns believes every outbound shipment deserves the same level of scrutiny. “Weak carrier verification by the staff — that’s the biggest one,” he says. “They’re not vetting your load brokers or the people who are picking up the materials. They’re not verifying

the certificates of insurance.” Before releasing a shipment, Burns advises confirming several key pieces of information: Carrier: Confirm the trucking company assigned to the load and independently verify that it is the company expected to perform the pickup. Driver: Verify the driver’s identity using government-issued identification and confirm they are authorized to collect the shipment. Truck: Ensure the truck and trailer match the information provided during dispatch. Destination: Confirm where the material is being delivered and that the destination matches shipping documents. Purchase order and bill of lading: Review documentation for inconsistencies or unexpected changes before loading begins. Scale ticket: Ensure weights and shipment details accurately reflect the material being released. Rather than relying solely on documents handed over by the driver, Burns recommends independently confirming information whenever possible. A quick phone call to the freight broker or carrier can help verify that the correct truck has been dispatched and that no last-minute changes have been made without authorization. Those extra steps may add only a few minutes to the shipping process, but they can prevent a loss that could take months or prove impossible to recover.

WHEN PLANS CHANGE

A last-minute change doesn’t necessarily mean a shipment is being targeted. Trucks break down. Drivers become unavailable. Dispatch schedules shift. Individually, these situations may have legitimate explanations. Together, they represent some of the most common opportunities for fraud. Burns says unexpected changes should never be treated as routine. Instead of allowing staff to make judgment calls on the spot, Burns recommends establishing a clear protocol for handling any deviation from the original shipping plan. “Whenever there’s a change in the pickup of the load . . . it should automatically require management sign-off,” he says. That approval process creates a natural pause and an opportunity to verify new information before the shipment leaves the yard. A quick phone call to the carrier or freight broker can often confirm whether the change is legitimate or reveal that something isn’t right. Just as importantly, Burns says, employees should feel empowered to question unusual requests. If something seems inconsistent with the original shipping instructions, staff should know they have both the authority and the responsibility to stop the process until the details have been verified. In many cases, the few minutes spent confirming a change can prevent a costly mistake.

SECURITY DOESN’T STOP AT THE GATE

Strong shipping procedures work best when they’re supported by good physical security and accurate recordkeeping. Surveillance cameras, well-lit loading areas, controlled yard access, and restricted storage for high-value non-ferrous materials all remain important deterrents. While these measures may not prevent every fraudulent pickup, they can provide valuable evidence if an investigation becomes necessary. Documentation is equally important. Burns recommends SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | recyclingproductnews.com

INSURANCE maintaining complete records for every outbound shipment, including bills of lading, purchase orders, scale tickets, photographs when appropriate, and records identifying the driver, truck, trailer, and carrier involved in the pickup. Together, these documents establish a clear chain of custody and can help investigators reconstruct exactly what happened if a shipment goes missing. Accurate inventory reconciliation also plays an important role. The sooner a discrepancy is identified, the sooner a recycler can begin contacting customers, carriers, law enforcement, and insurers. Waiting until the next inventory count or monthly reconciliation may allow valuable time to slip away. Ultimately, Burns says, no single security measure is enough on its own. Physical security, documentation, and verification procedures all work together to reduce opportunities for theft and improve the chances of recovering a shipment if something does go wrong.

MAKING SURE INSURANCE RESPONDS

Even the strongest security procedures cannot eliminate every risk. When a shipment is stolen, having the right insurance coverage and understanding how that coverage works can make a significant difference. One area Burns says recyclers often overlook is the declared value of a shipment. Many companies rely on standard bills of lading without realizing they may limit a carrier’s liability to an amount far below the actual value of the cargo. As commodity prices rise, particularly for materials such as copper, that gap can become substantial. “If you’re shipping copper that’s worth seven or eight dollars a pound and your bill of lading only limits recovery to a couple of dollars a pound, you’re going to have a significant uninsured loss,” Burns explains. Burns encourages recyclers to review their transportation agreements and cargo insurance with their broker before a loss occurs, not afterward. Understanding who is responsible for a shipment at each stage of transportation, what documentation is required, and whether declared values are appropriate can help you avoid costly surprises during a claim. According to Burns, insurance should be viewed as one component of a broader risk management strategy rather than the primary defence against theft.

Burns says delays can significantly reduce the likelihood of recovering stolen material. “The first couple of hours are critical,” he explains. “Once that material starts moving, it becomes much more difficult to locate.” Having an incident response plan in place before a theft occurs can help employees respond quickly and ensure important steps are not overlooked during a stressful situation.

THE FIRST FEW HOURS MATTER MOST

PREPARATION IS THE BEST DEFENCE

When a shipment goes missing, time becomes the most valuable resource. The first priority is confirming that the load has actually been stolen rather than delayed because of a legitimate transportation issue. Once that possibility has been ruled out, Burns says recyclers should act immediately. First steps include: • Contact local law enforcement. • Notify the insurance broker or insurer. • Inform the customer or intended receiver. • Alert employees, owners, and other key people within the operation. • Preserve surveillance footage and all records related to the shipment. • Secure bills of lading, scale tickets, driver information, emails, text messages, photographs of the load, and any available GPS data. • Notify CARI or ReMA, where appropriate, so information about the stolen load can be shared with the industry.

recyclingproductnews.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Rising commodity values and evolving fraud schemes are creating new challenges for recyclers moving high-value shipments.

As load theft continues to evolve, Burns believes recyclers must evolve with it. While criminals continue to develop more sophisticated methods of impersonating carriers and diverting shipments, many of the industry’s most effective defences remain surprisingly straightforward: know who is collecting the load, verify every shipment, and follow documented procedures every time. Technology, surveillance, and insurance all have important roles to play, but they cannot replace disciplined operational processes. Burns suggests that protecting high-value shipments ultimately comes down to three principles: verify the people handling your material, understand how your insurance coverage will respond if something goes wrong, and have a documented plan for preventing and responding to a theft. Although it may be impossible to prevent theft altogether, the goal should be making your recycling business much harder to target. RPN

EVENTS CALENDAR CONNECT WITH THE INDUSTRY ORGANICS RECYCLING CONFERENCE CALGARY, AB | SEPTEMBER 22–24

Hosted by the Compost Council of Canada, the 36th Annual Organics Recycling Conference will bring together advocates and innovators from across North America. Attendees can experience a range of tours, presentations, exhibits, and dedicated networking time to discover the trends currently driving organics recycling, soil health, and urban agriculture. compost.org

CARI NEXT GEN: PRAIRIES WINNIPEG, MB | OCTOBER 1

CARI’s Next Gen event for professionals under 40 offers a unique experience for recyclers across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Alongside networking with leaders in the recycling industry, attendees will tour the Royal Canadian Mint, followed by Virtual Golf and refreshments. cari-acir.org/events

BIR WORLD RECYCLING CONVENTION & EXHIBITION MALAGA MALAGA, SPAIN | OCTOBER 25–27

The Bureau of International Recycling is hosting its semi-annual convention in Malaga, Spain, where experts will discuss current trends, governmental policies, and global trade restrictions. Spread across networking opportunities, panels, and special committees, this convention covers topics such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paper, electronics, plastics, and rubber. bir.org

COMING SOON RCON: POWERED BY SWANA ST. LOUIS, MO | SEPTEMBER 29– OCTOBER 2 SWANA.ORG/EVENTS/RCON2026

11TH CDRA SHINGLE RECYCLING FORUM RALEIGH, NC | OCTOBER 13–15 SHINGLERECYCLINGFORUM.COM

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BKT Tires Canada.......................................... 35 Bulk Handling Systems (BHS)................3 CARI-ACIR........................................................... 31 Cowan Insurance Group......................... 44 ELV Select Inc.................................................. 15 Fagus-GreCon US.........................................49 Frontline Washing Systems..........Insert Gensco Equipment Co. Ltd.................... 17 Harris American Company...........................False Cover, 9, 41 Herbold USA..................................................... 16 John Ross & Sons Ltd.................................. 11 LBX Company LLC..........................................5 Liebherr–Canada Ltd....................................2 Machinex Industries Inc.......................... 55 New West Gypsum Recycling Inc....49 OVB Holdings LLC.......................................49 ReMA....................................................................45

TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL ISSUE

SENNEBOGEN LLC..................................... 56

STADLER Anlagenbau..............................49

VAN DYK Recycling Solutions................ 4

Zato.........................................................................14

CMJ

YARD DOGS Meet the unsung heroes of the industry — the dogs who keep watch, boost morale, and know the yard better than anyone. Send a photo of your four-legged coworker to sfox@baumpub.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue.

Benny ReSpark