In this episode of ARA Unscripted, host Vince sits down with Emil Nusbaum, ARA’s Vice President of Strategy & Government Affairs, to unpack his unique journey into automotive recycling and the impact of his work on the industry’s future. From growing up around his father’s yard-management and consulting business to interning on Capitol Hill, studying law, and working on high-stakes investigations and vehicle policy, Emil explains how each step prepared him for his current role representing auto recyclers on some of the most complex regulatory and legislative issues of our time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MDDUvr7ki0
The conversation dives into how Emil helped elevate ARA’s voice in Washington and with regulators: COVID-era efforts to track 50-state rules and keep recyclers operating, stormwater and environmental compliance, catalytic converter theft legislation, data access for recalls and EV batteries, and leading-edge work on high-voltage battery safety and reuse. Emil and Vince discuss the development of the EV battery hierarchy with Argonne National Laboratory, why auto recyclers must be central to any circular battery economy, and how ARA is shaping national conversations on safety, sustainability, and right to repair.
On a personal level, Emil reflects on formative mentors, his law and policy background, and what it’s like to advocate for a sophisticated industry that’s often still mislabeled as “junkyards.” He explains why ARA members need a seat at the table—through committees, Hill Day visits, and ongoing dialogue with OEMs, regulators, and lawmakers—if they want their businesses and the industry to thrive in a future defined by EVs, data, and increasingly complex regulation.
Watch the full conversation below to hear Emil’s story and get an inside look at how ARA is working behind the scenes to protect and advance professional automotive recycling in 2026 and beyond.
