Jay Robinovitz to receive ReMA’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

The Washington-based Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) will recognize Jay Robinovitz with its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award at ReMA2026 - The Show in Las Vegas, honoring his years of leadership in the recycled materials industry.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by ReMA’s chair to recognize a recycled materials industry professional whose name and deeds are synonymous with integrity and the pursuit of excellence and who has made significant contributions to the recycled materials industry and the organization. Robinovitz will be recognized during the ReMA2026 awards presentation April 15.

Robinovitz has served the recycled materials industry for more than 50 years. He started at his family’s recycling operation, R&R Industries Inc., in Springfield, Massachusetts, before becoming a general manager at Aerospace Metals Inc. in Hartford, Connecticut. Robinovitz spent held various senior management positions at Schnitzer Steel Industries, including vice president of business development and major capital investments, vice president and chief operating officer of the auto parts division and vice president of northwest operations. He completed his career at St. Louis-based Alter Trading Corp., a Goldstein Group Co., where he started in 2009 as senior vice president and chief officer of operations. Robinovitz was promoted to president and chief operating officer in 2012 and became president and chief executive officer in 2018. Robinovitz retired from Alter April 30, 2024, and now serves as a member of the company’s board of directors.

In a 2019 profile of Alter Trading, Robinovitz describes himself as “just kid from a small scrapyard in Massachusetts. I have spent my career working for large family-owned or -operated scrap companies and have learned to love the industry, the people, the challenges and the opportunities.”

“Jay embodies the very best of our industry,” ReMA President Robin Wiener says. “From his foundational work in his family’s business to his various leadership positions, Jay’s career has been defined by deep-seated advocacy for the recycled materials industry and the people who power it. I am delighted Jay has been chosen as the 2026 ReMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.”

In addition to his leadership roles at recycling companies, Robinovitz has worked to change regulations surrounding plastics and environmental requirements as well as material theft. He is a champion of global environmentally sustainable recycling practices, ReMA says.

“For decades, Jay has led with integrity, resilience and a deep commitment to doing things the right way,” adds ReMA Chair Colin Kelly. “His contributions have shaped several organizations, most recently Alter Trading, and strengthened our industry in ways that will endure long beyond today. What makes this recognition especially meaningful to me is that I have had the privilege of witnessing that leadership up close—not just as a colleague but as a friend. And I can say with confidence: The character behind the accomplishments is even greater than the résumé.”

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Robinovitz says. “To be mentioned in the same breath as so many iconic industry leaders is both surreal and deeply meaningful. I stand here incredibly grateful for all of the mentors, partners and teammates who made this possible.”