The Waste Industry Is Measuring the Wrong Number

The Waste Industry Is Measuring the Wrong Number

The Waste Industry Is Measuring the Wrong NumberSam Barrili
Published on: 01/10/2026

The waste industry is measuring the wrong number. Discover why profit per ton, material recovery and secondary raw materials matter more than tonnage and diversion rates.

business strategiessecondary raw material businesssecondary raw materialsthe zero waste liezero wasterecyclinggreenwashingthe 2nd law of thermodynamicszero waste costzero waste lie
The Line Item Missing From Every Waste Company's P&L

The Line Item Missing From Every Waste Company's P&L

The Line Item Missing From Every Waste Company's P&LSam Barrili
Published on: 24/09/2026

Most waste operators leak 25–50% of their stream's value. Learn why Zero Waste targets cost you money and what the most profitable haulers do instead.

zero wastewaste managementtrash to cashsecondary raw materialsrecyclingwaste to energysecondary raw material businessthe zero waste liebusiness strategies
The Last 1%: Where Zero Waste Quietly Breaks

The Last 1%: Where Zero Waste Quietly Breaks

The Last 1%: Where Zero Waste Quietly BreaksSam Barrili
Published on: 17/09/2026

Zero waste treats the empty bin as the goal. But the last fractions of a waste stream cost more to recover than everything before them. Why the target — not recycling — is the real problem.

zero waste liezero waste costbusiness strategythe zero waste lie bookthe zero wastezero waste ideathe 2nd law of thermodynamicsthe trash to cashwaste to energywaste managementrecyclingsecondary raw materialsESGgreenwashing
Chasing Zero Is the Most Expensive Mistake in Your Plant

Chasing Zero Is the Most Expensive Mistake in Your Plant

Chasing Zero Is the Most Expensive Mistake in Your PlantSam Barrili
Published on: 10/09/2026

Zero waste is a physical impossibility, and chasing it drains margin. A chemist's case for optimum recovery — where thermodynamics meets your P&L.

zero waste costoptimum recovery raterecycling diminishing returnsvalue recovered per tonmarginal cost of recycling