Recycling Is Not Broken. The Economics Around It Are.

Sam Barrili

Published on: 02/07/2026

Recycling isn't broken — its economics are. Why weak buyers, poor material intelligence, and downstream gaps leak profit, and how top operators fix it.

recycling economicssecondary raw materialssecondary raw materials marketrecycling margin optimizationrecycling business modelwaste stream monetizationdownstream markets recyclingrecycling marginswhy is recycling not profitablehow recyclers make moneyhidden profit in recyclingrecycling offtake agreementsmaterial intelligencewaste managementtrash to cashwaste alchemistsam barrili

What Really Happens to Plastic Waste in the United States

Sam Barrili

Published on: 12/03/2026

Plastic waste is becoming a strategic secondary raw material. Discover how waste operators can extract value and turn discarded plastics into profitable resources.

plastic wastesecondary raw materialswaste managementpyrolysisplastic waste managementPET PET bottlesHDPEHDPE materialheavy fuel from plasticsplastic waste recycling industryplastic waste recoveryplastic waste resource recoveryplastic waste business opportunityplastic waste industrial reuseplastic waste circular economyplastic waste fuel productionplastic waste supply chain opportunitiesplastic waste recovery business modelsecondary raw materials marketindustrial waste valorizationurban miningwaste management value extractionsecondary raw materials business

Why Exporting Waste Is Getting Harder — and Why That’s the Best News Waste Companies Have Had in Decades

Sam Barrili

Published on: 30/01/2026

Waste exports are tightening. Learn how waste management companies can escape the price war by turning waste into valuable secondary raw materials.

secondary raw materialswaste to resourcewaste management business modelwaste management strategytransform waste into valuewaste industry transformationwaste management profitabilitywaste management international marketsecondary raw materials marketwaste export regulationswaste export restrictionslocal waste treatmentwaste value chainwaste management marginsrecycling vs waste managementwaste management price warwaste management value creationwaste management supply chain

Harnessing Trends in Secondary Raw Materials for Strategic Success

Sam Barrili

Published on: 15/07/2024

Discover how understanding trends in the secondary raw materials market can revolutionize your waste management business strategies. Learn from Sam Barrili, The Waste Management Alchemist, to maximize value, enhance efficiency, and stay ahead in the industry.

market trendssecondary raw materials marketmarket trend of secondary raw materialssecondary raw materialsmarketingwaste managementbusiness strategies for waste managementbusiness strategieswaste management business strategiesbusiness strategies junk removalwaste management strategysecondary raw materials sales strategysecondary raw materials productionwaste management for secondary raw materialssecondary raw materials supplierhow to supply secondary raw materials