Mandel "Manny" Sherman, who led companies in the recycling sector for more than 60 years, died April 17 at age 82.
Sherman was born July 20, 1938, and graduated from the New York Military Academy and Boston University before entering the recycling arena in the 1960s. He made a name for himself through the introduction of a system to refine precious metals from catalytic converters.
In his later years, he founded a plastics recycling company that focused on developing countries and islands off the coast of Florida.
From 1962-75, Sherman was president of Eastern Foundry Supplies, a company he founded that focused on the recovery of precious metals from the electronic and jewelry industries. In 1967, he was responsible for the sale of EFS to Whittaker Corp., a California-based company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, where he remained as president.
From 1975-83, Sherman served as the president and CEO of Refinement International Co., a metals recycler that had sales exceeding $350 million and firm that was publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange.
Sherman then joined Westbury Metals Group and served as the president, CEO and director into the 1990s.
In his later years, Sherman focused his efforts on plastics with his daughter Sloan, and founded Banyan Plastics LLC in Palm Beach, Fla.
"Tireless efforts were spent teaching, training, investing and building infrastructure and job creation in forgotten areas, creating viability and value," the family wrote in an email to Plastics News.
"Manny worked relentlessly and tirelessly for over 60 years in the recycling industry. … [He was] a visionary , an inspiration, a humanitarian and a legend in his field. Manny's ideas will continue to contribute change and exploration in the recycling industry for years to come."
He is survived by his wife, Joan, of 56 years and his daughters, Melissa and Sloan, as well as his granddaughters, Samantha and Ari.
Condolences can be sent to the family at 133 Banyan Isle Dr., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33418.