Clinton and Susan Weinstein and their children expand M&M Recycling into multilocation scrap company serving the Atlanta area
Few industries reward persistence like recycling, where yesterday’s scrap becomes tomorrow’s raw material. For about four decades, two generations of the Weinstein family have made that transformation and grown M&M Recycling steadily thanks to hard work and a focus on delivering quality customer service.
Based in Locust Grove, Ga., M&M (Me and My) Recycling operates four scrap metal locations serving the Atlanta area. The company buys ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the public, contractors and manufacturers, processes the materials, and ships them to mills and foundries. It also offers roll-off services and has a fleet of trucks.
Founded by immigrants Clinton and Susan Weinstein, the family-owned business now employs roughly 50 to 60 people and continues to expand its regional footprint. M&M Recycling’s early focus centered on melting aluminum before shifting toward full-service scrap processing as markets evolved. The first yard opened in Douglasville, Ga., in 1989, and the business steadily expanded across the Atlanta area.
Clinton and Susan’s sons, Ryan Weinstein and David Weinstein, and their daughter, Saren Weinstein Schapiro, are heavily involved in the business, along with Ryan’s wife, Danielle, and Saren’s husband, Bram.
“Mom and Dad came to America from South Africa about 40 years ago,” shared Ryan, Vice President of Operations and Sales. “Scrap was what our family knew. When we arrived in Georgia, we continued working in the industry. Over time, we built M&M Recycling into what it is today.”
Currently, M&M Recycling operates facilities in Austell, Griffin, downtown Atlanta and Locust Grove, where the primary processing yard handles large volumes of incoming material.
“Our role is the middle step in the recycling process,” Ryan explained. “Customers bring their scrap to us, and we collect it. We process and prepare it for mills and foundries that melt it down and turn it into new products.”
Atlas material handlers at the center
The steady flow of scrap through the Locust Grove yard depends heavily on equipment to ensure efficient material handling keeps trucks moving, piles organized and shredders supplied with a constant stream of metal. At the center of the operation are two Atlas 270MH wheeled material handlers purchased from local dealer Cowin Equipment Company Inc. with the help of Brian Hagood and Will Bice.
M&M Recycling uses the two Atlas 270MH material handlers to move scrap throughout the yard, load shredders and trucks, and handle everything from light materials to dense steel piles. Each machine uses interchangeable attachments, including grapples and magnets, allowing operators to quickly adapt to changing workloads. The wheeled configuration allows the machines to travel easily across the yard’s concrete surfaces while reducing wear compared to tracked equipment.
“The Atlas 270s are the right size for what we do,” Ryan stated. “They’re not overkill, and they’re not too small. They give us the reach and power to handle whatever material comes through the yard. That balance is really important in a busy scrap operation.”
Ryan added, “The elevating cab is one of our favorite features. It gives operators a bird’s-eye view of the yard. They can see the truck they’re loading, the piles around them and the people working nearby. That visibility makes the job safer and more efficient.”
The equipment also helps minimize downtime in a business where constant movement is critical.
“Our operators love the machines,” Ryan commented. “They’re reliable, easy to maintain and comfortable to run. When equipment works the way it should, it keeps the entire yard moving.”
Partnership behind the machines
Keeping those machines running requires more than good equipment. It also depends on strong support from trusted partners like Cowin Equipment and Atlas, which is part of the SMH Group.
“They came to our yard, looked at our operation and helped us determine what size machine we needed,” Ryan said. “They didn’t just try to sell us equipment. They made sure we were getting the right machines for our work.”
Dealer technicians assist with preventive maintenance schedules, parts availability and service support to minimize downtime. That responsiveness is critical in a scrapyard environment where equipment failures can quickly disrupt operations.
“Support after the sale is an important factor to us in buying equipment,” Ryan emphasized. “Anyone can sell a machine. What matters is how they take care of you once it’s in your yard. Cowin and Atlas have always been there when we need them. They answer the phone, they know the machines, and they keep parts available. When something needs attention, they’re quick to respond. That level of service makes a big difference for us.”
Photos/Captions
1: Clinton Weinstein (right) and his wife, Susan (not pictured), immigrated from South Africa and founded M&M Recycling. Their son Ryan (left) is the vice president of operations for the now four-location business that serves the Atlanta area.
2: An M&M Recycling operator loads trucks with one of the two Atlas 270MH material handlers the company uses at its Locust Grove, Ga., location.
3: An M&M Recycling operator moves scrap with an Atlas 270MH material handler.
4: (L-R) M&M Recycling’s Ryan Weinstein and Clinton Weinstein meet with Cowin Equipment Company’s Brian Hagood and Will Bice, who worked with the Weinsteins to acquire M&M Recycling’s two Atlas 270MH material handlers.