FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shapiro Highlights Circularity at Missouri Manufacturing Conference

ST. LOUIS, MO, UNITED STATES — September 30, 2025

Tim Ridderbos, Vice President of Circular Business Development at Shapiro, delivered a keynote address on making sustainability both strategic and profitable at the Missouri Association of Manufacturers’ Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) conference. Hosted by the Missouri Association of Manufacturers (MAM), the conference brought together industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability advocates to explore how environmental responsibility can drive profitability, resilience, and brand trust.

Manufacturers face rising pressure to create closed loop systems, reduce waste, cut carbon and prove environmental compliance. Too often, excess material is treated as cost rather than opportunity.

Ridderbos’ session showed leaders how to discover hidden waste streams across plants, build internal buy-in and craft compelling narratives that resonate with customers and regulators.

“My challenge to you is to think about how you can be proactive, so that instead of reacting to OEM demands and regulatory changes, you’re positioned as a leader driving the conversation in industry recycling,” encouraged Ridderbos.

“Sustainability adds value from waste to your bottom line, so it’s encouraging to see how the industry’s perception around waste is shifting to being seen as local, revenue and opportunity.” shared Bob Alvarez, Chief Operations Officer at Shapiro

OEM sustainability initiatives are backed by Shapiro including Circular by Shapiro and Master Alloys with examples like:

• The Business Case for Recycling: How reducing waste and increasing material reuse can lower costs, improve compliance, and unlock new revenue streams and track data through a proprietary Sustainability Dashboard.

• Shapiro’s 5 for Five Podcast hosted by Tim Ridderbos: Highlights manufacturers and sustainability.

• Waste Isn’t Just Material: Shows how “The Alley” waste isn’t a priority, rarely measured and difficult to compile several locations of data with case studies documenting successful recycling programs for copper wire, wood, trash, cardboard, textiles, plastics.

• Fluid Management Systems: Discussed Shapiro’s fluid pumps that are being used by CNC machining companies to reuse fluids and save on costly cutting fluids.

To explore Shapiro’s recycling programs, visit Shapiro sustainability solutions or read their industry recycling solutions overview.

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About Shapiro

Shapiro is a circular solutions company helping manufacturers transform industrial excess materials into value. Founded in1904, Shapiro serves aerospace, automotive, foundry, die casting and manufacturing sectors across North America. The company delivers compliance, transparency and measurable ROI through sustainable metal recycling strategies.

Media Contact

Judy Ferraro Chief Marketing Officer, Shapiro
Email: judy@shapirometals.com
Phone: (630) 336-0010