The waste management industry is at a turning point, and if you're paying attention, you're about to witness the biggest wealth transfer in secondary raw materials (SRM) history. The landscape has changed—tariffs, export restrictions, and shifting trade policies are no longer just political buzzwords; they’re paving the way for unprecedented opportunities.

For the smart and aggressive waste company owner, the writing is on the wall: the U.S. market is demanding more domestic SRMs than ever before, and those who position themselves correctly will dominate.

So, the question isn’t whether there’s money to be made—it’s how much of it you’re ready to collect.

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The Forced Shift: Why Tariffs Are a Gift in Disguise

In a move that has disrupted global trade, the U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and copper imports. That means one thing: U.S. manufacturers are looking inward to source materials, and they’re willing to pay a premium for domestically available resources.

For years, China and other countries dictated the flow of recycled materials. U.S. waste companies were left scrambling, watching profits erode as materials once in high demand were suddenly unwanted. Now, the script has flipped. Foreign suppliers are becoming too expensive, and U.S. businesses are desperate for reliable, domestic alternatives.

Let’s put it bluntly: If you own a waste management business in the U.S., the power is shifting into your hands. But only if you act quickly and strategically.

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The Golden Trio: The Most Profitable SRMs Right Now

Not all waste is created equal, and if you want to maximize your profits, you need to focus on high-demand materials that buyers are scrambling for. These are the assets that will skyrocket your margins in the new trade environment:

1. Metals – The Cash Machines

With tariffs making imported metal prohibitively expensive, industries from construction to automotive are turning to recycled metal as their primary source.

• Steel & Aluminum: Essential for everything from building materials to car manufacturing.

• Copper: With massive use in electronics and wiring, this metal is becoming a hot commodity.

• Brass & Stainless Steel: Niche but lucrative markets with strong demand from the industrial sector.

A properly sorted and processed batch of metal commands top dollar, and with import barriers in place, the urgency for domestic supply has never been greater.

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2. High-Grade Plastics – The Sleeping Giant

While low-grade mixed plastics are becoming a regulatory nightmare, clean, high-quality plastics (PET, HDPE, and PP) are a seller’s market. U.S. manufacturers are under pressure to find reliable sources of quality plastic resins. Guess what? That could be you.

Forget about cheap, low-value plastics that no one wants. If you control a steady stream of high-grade plastics, you have a golden ticket in this new economy.

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3. Paper & Cardboard – The Backbone of E-Commerce

With the explosion of e-commerce, the demand for recycled paper and cardboard is outpacing supply. Amazon alone consumes millions of tons of recycled paper-based materials yearly. Yet, with tougher regulations and bans on exports, the industry is scrambling to find local suppliers.

Own this space, and you will have an endless line of buyers bidding against each other for your material.

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How to Exploit the New Market: Step-by-Step Strategy

Knowing where the money is flowing is just the first step. Execution is where fortunes are made.

Step 1: Upgrade Your Sorting & Processing Game

Quality is king. The buyers who are willing to pay the most are looking for high-purity materials. Investing in better sorting, cleaning, and baling systems will instantly boost the price you can command.

If you’re still dealing with contamination issues, fix them NOW. The difference between a contaminated batch and a clean one? Up to 50% more money in your pocket.

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Step 2: Target Direct Buyers Instead of Middlemen

Middlemen eat away at your profits. The biggest waste management winners are skipping brokers and selling directly to manufacturers.

• Find U.S.-based manufacturers hungry for recycled materials

• Negotiate long-term supply contracts to lock in pricing

• Use digital platforms to showcase your inventory to verified industrial buyers

The result? More money, more stability, and full control of your pricing.

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste”]

Step 3: Vertical Integration – The Smart Play

If you’re still only collecting and selling raw SRMs, you’re leaving a fortune on the table. The real money is in processing your materials further.

• Shredding & Pelletizing Plastics: Adds 30-50% to your revenue

• Metal Processing (Shearing, Melting, Alloying): Turns scrap into premium-grade materials

• Paper Pulping: Makes you indispensable to major packaging companies

Vertical integration isn’t just for the giants. With the right equipment and partnerships, you own the entire chain—and pocket the massive margins that come with it.

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Step 4: Leverage Government Incentives

The U.S. government is pouring money into domestic recycling and manufacturing initiatives. Grants, tax credits, and funding programs are available to those who step up to fill the supply gap.

Get in touch with:

• Local and state economic development programs

• Federal recycling and infrastructure grants

• Private investment funds looking to back waste-to-resource businesses

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste”]

Step 5: Build a Brand That Commands Premium Prices

Waste management isn’t just about selling scrap. It’s about building a reputation as a premium supplier. If manufacturers see you as a reliable, high-quality provider, they’ll pay more just for the security of working with you.

• Brand your SRMs as premium-grade materials

• Document your processes to prove quality and consistency

• Market directly to buyers with an aggressive, no-BS approach

[Download the eBook “Thriving With Waste”]

Final Word: The Fortune Awaits the Bold

There are two kinds of waste company owners in America today:

1. Those who sit on the sidelines, watching opportunities slip through their fingers.

2. Those who take decisive action, grab market share, and build multimillion-dollar operations while others hesitate.

The market is shifting in favor of those who are willing to adapt and dominate. If you’re serious about making real money in the waste industry, now is your time.

Are you going to let this golden era pass you by, or are you ready to step up and take what’s yours?

The choice is yours.

To Your Success,

Sam Barrili
The Waste Management Alchemist

For those who are ready to scale their waste business and secure high-margin SRM contracts, let’s talk. Join the Centurion Waste Alliance Group, and let’s build something unstoppable.