Episodes
155
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
Follow Brett Ekart as he finds people throughout the country living "A Scrap Life"
In this June edition of The Trade, Brett and Chad analyze the June 2026 ferrous market "standoff," focusing on the balance between strong domestic mill demand and a cooling export market. They explore how infrastructure projects like data centers are driving scrap usage and discuss why most experts predict a "sideways" market for the month ahead. Produced by Recycled Media.
In this May copper episode of The Trade, hosts Brett and Aldo discussing how financial speculation and AI-driven demand are currently fueling a volatile copper market despite rising physical inventories. They offer strategic risk-management advice for scrap yard operators, emphasizing the importance of sticking to fundamentals while navigating the disconnect between paper trading and physical supply.Produced by Recycled Media.
In this May ferrous episode of The Trade, hosts Brett and Chad analyze the bullish scrap metal market, highlighting record-high copper prices and steady steel demand fueled by the "AI boom" and domestic infrastructure projects. They also discuss the operational challenges of rising fuel costs and inflation while emphasizing the importance of staying disciplined and reinvesting in industrial equipment.Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by John Sacco to engage in a debate over whether their industry should identify as the "scrap" trade or the "recycled materials" industry. The conversation explores whether "scrap" represents a badge of honor and value identifier, or if "recycled materials" is a necessary narrative adjustment to overcome negative perceptions and avoid restrictive government regulations. Produced by Recycled Media.
In this April edition of "The Trade," hosts Brett and Chad discuss the current state of the scrap metal market, specifically examining how the Iranian war has shifted export demand toward Turkey. They further evaluate domestic market health by analyzing steel mill utilization rates, seasonal scrap flows, and the impact of rising freight costs on April pricing.Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Aldo Jordan to discuss he factors driving the March 2026 copper market, including China's economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and the impact of the strong US dollar. Aldo ultimately advises a "buy, sell, and forget it" approach for scrap handlers due to the lack of clear price support above the $6 mark. Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett and Chad are joined by Atilla Widnell of Navigate Commodities, who explains how satellite technology and thermal imagery provide real-time insights into global steel mill utilization and ferris scrap demand. The discussion also covers the impact of international conflicts on market sentiment, inflation trends in the U.S. and Turkey, and China's significant role in global scrap generation. Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Mike Anderson, VP of Materials Trading at Schupan & Sons, to analyze the current state of the aluminum market, focusing on how Section 232 tariffs and record-high Midwest premiums are impacting domestic scrap pricing and international trade flows. The discussion also explores the future of the industry, highlighting the impact of potential interest rate changes and the role of advanced separation technologies in upgrading scrap value. Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Aldo Jordan to discuss the unprecedented volatility in the copper market and how financial speculation is increasingly decoupling prices from physical supply and demand. This episode provides expert insights into shifting Chinese consumption while offering essential advice for scrap business owners on managing insurance, credit lines, and operational risks. Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of The Trade - A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Chad to analyze the February 2026 scrap metal market, highlighting copper as a potential "trade of the year" and discussing how small businesses can navigate current market volatility. This episode explores the impact of macroeconomic trends, such as GDP growth and energy costs, on ferrous and non-ferrous positioning to help operators maximize their margins. Produced by Recycled Media.
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