# Built to Work Podcast

### Introduction

**Colin (Host):**
Welcome to Built to Work, the podcast that gets its hands dirty, dives into the grit, and uncovers the heart of what makes the blue-collar world tick. I’m Colin, your host, and I’m sitting down with the people who keep our world running. From those tackling the tough jobs no one else dares to do to the HR professionals working overtime to find the labor force we desperately need. Whether you’re in the trenches or behind the scenes, this podcast is for anyone who values hard work, determination, and stories that build the backbone of our workforce. So, grab your gloves, your coffee, or your clipboard. It’s time to get to work.

**Colin:**
Welcome to another Built to Work podcast. I’m here with Tim Ritter Boss. Tim, thank you so much for being here with me to chat.

**Tim Ritter Boss:**
Yeah, man. Happy to be here.

### Discussion on Circular Economy

**Colin:**
So, I’m excited to talk to you. You know, I was able to swing by your guys’ office a couple of weeks ago. We got to spend some time together, learn more about you guys, learn more about you. And I was like, hey, this Tim guy, he’s a cool guy. I need to talk to you some more.

**Colin:**
Uh, so Tim, you are with Circular by Shapiro. And your role, you said, was the VP, or just vice president?

**Tim:**
Yeah, vice president of circular business development. So, we’re a 121-year-old company. We started back in 1904. We’re headquartered in St. Louis. We focus on recycling, sustainability and circularity programs for large industrial manufacturers.

**Colin:**
Okay. So, what does a circularity program look like when you say that? I mean, I can kind of get an idea that it’s going to be around recycling and reusing, but what do you guys define that as?

**Tim:**
Yeah. At the end of the day, it’s about how do you keep material in the economy for as long as possible in its highest and best use. A lot of what I’ve done is think about things maybe in a different way than we’ve thought about them before. … [truncated for brevity]

### Innovations in Recycling

**Colin:**
Awesome. I need to get you in touch with the guys at Missouri S&T. Have you been in touch with them at all?

**Tim:**
No, tell me more.

**Colin:**
Missouri University of Science and Technology, it’s about halfway between St. Louis and Springfield. They’re building an advanced materials lab. All engineers, starting to work with manufacturing companies looking at advanced manufacturing techniques with some materials. … [truncated for brevity]

### Changes in the Labor Market

**Colin:**
It’s changing rapidly. The whole labor landscape is changing too. You know, some jobs we were doing, AI maybe taking those, right? Some robotic picking or something like that. On the flip side, there’s more demand now for people that we can fill just hey you guys need some laborers, operators, somebody that’s experienced like that.

**Tim:**
If I could go back and talk to 17-year-old Tim, I’d say, “Hey, do you want to go to college for four years or do you wanna—” I was a carpenter, right? I’ve still got friends in the industry, people who know how to build or fix an AC unit or do plumbing. There is going to be so much opportunity for somebody who knows how to swing a hammer or run a machine in the future. … [truncated for brevity]

### Tim’s Path to Recycling

**Colin:**
How did you get into this industry?

**Tim:**
I never thought I’d be in this industry in high school or college. I got into finance, didn’t really like it. I wanted something tangible. Eventually, I bugged the local Caterpillar dealership enough that they let me in, and from there on, I fell into a role at Shapiro Metals. … [truncated for brevity]

### Future Goals and Storytelling

**Colin:**
As you look forward in your career and what’s coming within the industry, what are your goals?

**Tim:**
I’ve been playing in the space of storytelling the last couple of years, working with different people to try and tell the stories of this industry and sustainability. Bringing light to the industry that’s been in the shadows, and showing how it is a critical piece of the economy. … [truncated for brevity]

### Conclusion

**Colin:**
Thank you so much for your time. Always a joy to talk to you. If you guys want to get a hold of Tim, look him up on LinkedIn. Thank you so much, Tim. I appreciate it. It’s been a pleasure talking to you.

**Tim:**
My pleasure. Anytime, man.