With over three decades of experience in the recycling industry, Brian Gaughan brings unparalleled expertise and dedication to his role as Business Development Director at Mid America Paper Recycling. Known for his customer-centric approach, Brian focuses on building meaningful partnerships and delivering customized solutions that create real value for clients.  

A Hands-On, Solution-Oriented Leader

Brian's role extends far beyond traditional business development. He takes a hands-on approach, working closely with customers to understand their unique needs and identify opportunities for improvement. He’s known for providing tailored recommendations that maximize efficiency, optimize floor space, and generate additional revenue. Whether it’s helping facilities better utilize their balers, consolidating loose materials into bales, or recommending strategies to minimize labor in plant facilities, Brian’s commitment to operational excellence sets him apart.

For example, Brian recently supported a large multi-site printing firm client by visiting each of their plant locations, analyzing their recycling streams from waste generation to exit, and recommending process adjustments to free up valuable floor space and streamline logistics. These insights were instrumental in securing their recycling business and achieving measurable results for their operations. 

Adding Value Through Innovation and Insight

Brian is a strong advocate for using data and reporting to create value. Mid America Paper Recycling’s customized AI-enhanced reporting solutions help clients track their recycling performance and uncover hidden opportunities for cost savings and revenue growth. From reducing hauling expenses to identifying higher-value recycling streams, Brian’s expertise ensures that customer-partners achieve the maximum benefit from their recycling programs. 

“Mid America takes a customer-focused approach,” Brian explains. “We don’t just look at market prices for recovered materials—we evaluate entire programs to find ways to save money, generate revenue, and improve efficiency for large enterprise customers. Our ability to customize solutions for each customer is what sets us apart.” 

A Commitment to Partnership and Results

Brian credits much of Mid America’s success to the company’s commitment to its collaborative approach to customer relationships. “We’re not just a service provider; we’re a partner,” he emphasizes. “We visit sites, provide recommendations, and work alongside customers to create programs that truly add value.” 

As 2025 begins, Brian is focused on growing Mid America’s footprint in both traditional and emerging markets while continuing to deliver outstanding service and results for clients. He sees significant growth potential in the plastics recycling sector, driven by increasing investment in consumer recovery rates, as well as opportunities to expand paper and board recycling services for printers and packaging converters. His dedication, expertise, and innovative mindset make him a key driver of the company’s success and a trusted partner to the businesses he serves. 

If you're ready to take your recycling program to the next level, contact Brian at bgaughan@midamericapaper.com to build and execute a revenue-generating recycling strategy.