If you’re in the waste management industry, I have news for you: The market is shifting, and if you don’t move fast, you’ll miss out on one of the biggest profit opportunities in decades.

Forget everything you’ve been told about recycling being a “cost center” or a “break-even” operation. That was before the recent policy shake-ups. The truth is, with President Trump rolling back several so-called ‘green regulations,’ the landscape for waste management has changed dramatically. The government has stepped out of the way, and that means one thing: Opportunity.

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Why Trump’s Regulatory Moves Are Your Golden Ticket

Let’s break it down. When regulations tighten, waste management companies often get stuck in compliance nightmares, spending money just to avoid penalties. But now? The playing field is wide open. President Trump has systematically reduced restrictions that once made it expensive and bureaucratic to handle, process, and resell certain materials.

But here’s where it gets even better.

At the same time that regulations are easing, tariffs on imported raw materials are making new metals, plastics, and other resources more expensive. That means industries—construction, manufacturing, automotive, packaging—are scrambling for cost-effective alternatives. And what’s the number one alternative? Secondary raw materials.

For decades, secondary raw materials have been an underutilized asset, seen as the byproduct of waste rather than a cash cow. Now, that perception is shifting. If you know how to play this right, you can turn your waste management operation into a supplier of in-demand materials, adding multiple new revenue streams without major capital investment.

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The Hidden Wealth in Secondary Raw Materials

Ask yourself this: Are you in the trash business, or are you in the materials business?

Because if you’re still thinking like a garbage hauler, you’re leaving six or even seven figures on the table. The market for secondary raw materials is skyrocketing because industries must find cheaper alternatives to imported goods.

Here’s a real-world example: Aluminum prices have surged due to tariffs on imported metals. That means recycled aluminum—something most waste management companies used to sell for pennies—has become a valuable commodity. The same applies to paper, plastics, and certain types of industrial waste. The cost of new materials is increasing, and demand for secondary materials is exploding.

The companies that pivot now will be the ones sitting on top in three years. The ones that hesitate? They’ll still be running inefficient routes and struggling with paper-thin margins.

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How to Profit from This New Market Reality

So how do you position yourself to win? Here’s a three-step strategy to capitalize on this moment:

1. Stop Thinking Like a Hauler—Start Thinking Like a Supplier

If you’re just picking up waste and delivering it to the landfill, you’re doing it wrong. The companies that will dominate in the next five years will treat waste as a product. That means segmenting materials, improving sorting technology, and negotiating better contracts with buyers who need what you have.

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2. Establish Direct-to-Buyer Relationships

Traditionally, waste companies rely on middlemen to handle recycling sales. Big mistake. The new economy rewards companies that cut out brokers and go directly to buyers. Manufacturers are desperate for cost-effective alternatives, and they don’t want to deal with unnecessary markups. If you can offer a consistent, reliable supply of secondary raw materials, they’ll line up to work with you.

Here’s the play: Instead of selling mixed recyclables to a processor, form partnerships with companies that need specific materials. Sell baled cardboard to packaging plants. Sell sorted plastics directly to manufacturers. Sell recovered metals to construction firms. The more refined and targeted your material streams, the more profit you’ll pull in.

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3. Invest in Technology That Maximizes Recovery

If you’re still relying on outdated sorting and recovery methods, you’re missing out on revenue. The waste management companies that win big will be the ones that invest in better material separation, AI-driven sorting, and advanced recovery techniques. The goal is to extract the highest value from every ton of material, not just move volume.

Technology is now at the point where automated sorting systems can increase material purity to over 95%, making it much easier to sell at premium prices. Yes, it takes investment—but the payoff is enormous.

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The Clock Is Ticking—Will You Move or Stay Behind?

Let’s be clear: This window of opportunity will not stay open forever. Eventually, the market will adjust, and the biggest players will consolidate. The companies that move now will lock in the best buyer relationships, the best pricing, and the biggest market share. The ones that wait? They’ll be playing catch-up, scrambling for leftovers.

This is the moment where the real players step up. The question is, will you be one of them?

If you want to learn how to build multiple new revenue streams in the waste business—without wasting time on useless government incentives—let’s talk. Book a call with me, and I’ll show you exactly how to turn waste into wealth.

The next three years will separate the winners from the losers. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Start building your next million-dollar revenue stream today.

To Your Success,

Sam Barrili

The Waste Management Alchemist