About BL Duke
Revolutionizing the Recycling Industry
BL Duke is a full-service recycling company built on innovation, efficiency, and technology. Since 2000, our team has been redefining scrap metal recycling with forward-thinking solutions. As a mill-direct supplier of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, we operate convenient recycling facilities in Forest View and Joliet, IL.
Chicago’s Fastest Growing Recycler
Award-winning growth backed by 98% customer retention.
Recognized by Crain’s Fast Fifty in 2015, 2018, and 2019, and named a finalist for AMM’s Scrap Company of the Year, BL Duke is the fastest-growing scrap metal recycling company in the Chicago area.
Our growth is driven by competitive pricing, market insight, and long-term customer partnerships built on trust and transparency.
Our facilities are designed for safety and efficiency, allowing us to deliver customized recycling programs that keep our customers involved every step of the way—from collection to processing.
With 98% customer retention, we’re proud to deliver more than results—we deliver reliability.
Awards and recognitions
Our team gets results and has been recognized for our leadership in the industry.
Explore just a few ways we’re revolutionizing the recycling industry.
Core Values
Our success is driven by values that fuel everything we do.
Our Story
2000
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BL Duke is established and the first truck is purchased on October 12, 2000.
2004
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BL Duke moved their Corporate Headquarters to 73rd and Oakley in Chicago, Illinois.
2005
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BL Duke opened a 5 acre ferrous processing yard in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
2006
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BL Duke jumped into the overseas market, purchasing ships to process for scrap metal.
2007
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First full time woman, Belinda Nunez, is hired.
“I’ve kept our accountability charts as a reminder of where we started and how far we’ve come,” says Belinda.
2008
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BL Duke’s demolition division is established to assist customers with machinery removal and plant clean-ups. This division quickly grows into a subsidiary taking down buildings, bridges and metal structures.
BL Duke acquires B&R Truck and Trailer Repair, Inc.
2009
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BL Duke purchases the heavy hauling equipment from Helders Motor Company. This acquisition adds to BL Duke’s fleet and capacity to move oversize and overweight materials.
2011
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BL Duke acquires a 9 acre recycling facility in Forest View, Illinois, where their first ferrous baler is installed.
Later this year, BL Duke also relocates their corporate headquarters to Forest View, Illinois.
2013
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BL Duke wins Company of the Year from the AWMI – Association of Women in the Metals Industry. Within the same year, BL Duke is recognized by the City of Forest View and accepts an Award of Appreciation.
2014
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BL Duke salvages a sunken barge on the Chicago River and is recognized for safely transporting the vessel to a dry dock where it is cut-up and recycled.
2015
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BL Duke’s business doubles in size and earns a spot on Crain’s Fast 50. Within the same year, BL Duke takes their talents to the water and loads their 1st Barge.
2016
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BL Duke acquires 30 acres in Joliet, Illinois.
The Joliet acquisition came equipped with dual barge docks, kicking off consistent monthly downriver barge sales. Two balers are added bringing their total baling capacity to 1500 tons daily. The acquisition also provided rail service making BL Duke’s logistics a triple threat.
2017
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Customer Portal is implemented.
BL Duke is recognized and awarded by American NTN Bearing for Continual Improvement and Overall Customer Service.
2018
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BL Duke acquires an additional 30 acres west of the Joliet, Illinois property. The new property hosts the Grand Opening of their 250,000 square foot Non-Ferrous Warehouse.
BL Duke River Terminal (BLDRT) is launched.
BL Duke was named a finalist for Fastmarkets AMM Awards for Steel Excellence in the Scrap Metal Company of the Year category and earns Crain’s Fast 50 once again.
Fabrication department kicks off to maintain BL Duke’s equipment and boxes.
2019
BL Duke is named a finalist for Fastmarkets AMM Awards for Steel Excellence in the Scrap Metal Company of the Year category for the second year in a row.
Another Crain’s Fast 50 recognition is added behind the BL Duke name.
Receives the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This award is the highest level of recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the National Guard.
2020
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The Shannon E. Collins Foundation (SECF) was formed. SECF was established to pay Shannon’s many contributions forward and keep her light shining. The foundation assists students with scholarships to help with the cost of attending a private high school, trade school, or university.
Office of Secretary of Defense awards Mark Reilly, VP of Operations, the Patriotic Employer Award.
Marissa Plucinski, VP of Sales, receives Women of Excellence Honorable Mention by Women in Manufacturing (WIM).
2021
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An additional 1,200 ft. of rail is extended to their Joliet West facility to allow direct rail access to BLDRT and their non-ferrous warehouse.
BL Duke launches the national account management to better service their customers with facilities outside the Chicago region.
2022
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BL Duke installed and implemented a NEW American manufactured PRAB aluminum pucking operation.
BL Duke acquires two barges to ensure the ability to secure its own equipment.
New Bonfiglioli incline shear is installed.
2023
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A barge dock was added to our Forest View, IL, industrial scrap yard in late 2023, making this facility fully barge accessible. With this addition, we have eliminated 200 trucks from our roads per month by transferring materials between our Forest View and Joliet, IL locations using our company-owned, dedicated barges. This advancement is paramount in our efforts to meet our sustainability goals.
2024
BL Duke is breaking ground on an innovative steel turnings’ containment building, a first-of-its-kind project in the Midwest and a significant step forward in safeguarding the cradle-to-grave responsibility of our recycling partners. The state-of-the-art structure will completely enclose steel turnings and cast iron borings at BL Duke’s 60-acre site in Joliet, IL. It is designed to shield the metal turnings from rainwater and prevent environmental runoff, marking a major advancement in upholding our customers’ cradle- to-grave obligations.
Philanthropy
Giving back is part of who we are—supporting local communities, charitable organizations, and causes that make a difference.
Shannon E. Collins Foundation
The SECF was established in 2019 in memory of our colleague, Shannon. It provides scholarships to support the continued education of BL Duke team members and their children. Learn more here.
Pathway to Adventure Council
For over 50 years, the metals industry has come together at the annual dinner to support local Scouting program. In 2024 alone, the Pathway to Adventure Council saw 351 Eagle Scouts, over 15,000 merit badges earned, and more than 114,000 hours of community service contributed by Scouts and volunteers. Learn more here.
