ISRI 2023 Advocacy Agenda

ISRI’s Advocacy Agenda for 2023 emphasizes three broad issue areas affecting the industry: Recyclable Commodities are Sustainable Materials, Recycling is Sustainable Manufacturing and We are Recycling.

Download the printable PDF version

Recyclable Commodities are Sustainable Materials

Recycling is Essential to the U.S. and global manufacturing supply chain, supplying specification-grade commodities, including recyclable metals, paper, plastics, glass and rubber used in the production of new materials and goods. We seek

  • To promote and educate federal, state and local officials, and the public, on the essential role of recycling throughout the supply chain for infrastructure improvement, and specifically the role of metal shredders for recycling of obsolete vehicles, appliances, and other metals.
  • Clear federal, state, local and international recognition of recycled materials as preferable to primary materials; recycling as manufacturing; recyclers as drivers of economic growth and development; as well as distinguishing recyclables from waste.
  • Universal adherence to the ISRI Specifications to enhance quality and increase recycling rates.
  • Permanent manufacturing sales tax exemptions, the federal 100% accelerated depreciation allowance and other recycling-favorable tax provisions.
  • Authoritative federal and state declarations that recycled crumb rubber use in artificial turf is appropriate, as supported by 100+ scientific studies. Read ISRI’s Artificial Turf and Rubber Infill Policy Statement
  • A resumed and statutory U.S. Mint mutilated coin redemption program. Read ISRI’s views on the U.S. Mint’s Mutilated Coin Redemption Program
  • Effective legislation and greater law enforcement collaboration to stop materials theft (including catalytic converters), such as with greater use of online tools. Read ISRI’s Position on Recyclable Materials Theft

Recycling is Sustainable Manufacturing

Recycling delivers sustainable and resilient infrastructure, green products and equitable access while achieving the global Circular Economy.  That requires

  • Free, fair and sustainable trade and enforcement of existing trade laws that promote responsible trade and disincentivize unfair and illegal trade practices.
  • Pandemic-related economic recovery that provides equitable access to stimulus and policies that reduce liability and business interruption.
  • Expeditious delivery of federal infrastructure funding to reduce the use of virgin materials in construction. Read ISRI’s Transportation Policy. Read ISRI’s Position Statement Concerning the Use of Rubberized Asphalt in Road Construction. Read Information on Glass Recycling
  • Shipping Act reforms, including greater Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) authorities, to improve supply chain bottlenecks and provide remedies against shipping line market manipulation.
  • Surface Transportation Board (STB) restores oversight of recyclables transport by revoking the recycled ferrous rail exemption and giving recyclers access to effective remedies against the railroad industry’s current market domination. Read ISRI’s Railroad Transportation Policy Statement
  • Federal support for public-private R&D that develops innovative recycling technology within manufacturing.
  • Improved recyclability of and increased recycled material in manufactured products through voluntary programs inspired by ISRI’s Design for Recycling® (DfR) principles and program.Read ISRI’s Position on Design for Recycling®
  • Greater government purchases of recyclable products and products made from recycled material directed by the USEPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines and equivalent State-level guidelines.
  • Minimal reliance on, and inclusion of sunsetting provisions on, policies that interfere with functioning, market-based growth, such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), mandated recycled content and product prohibitions. Read ISRI’s Position on Product Stewardship.
  • More accessible reuse and responsible recycling practices and policies to promote the sustainability of digital products.

We are Recycling

ISRI promotes responsible recycling that actively follows recommended industry practices, standards and compliance with environmental and health and safety regulations; engages an inclusive workforce; and emphasizes strong community relationships.  This is enhanced by

  • Regulation that is fair, equitably applied and manageable.
  • Recycling transactions exempted from Superfund liability on the state level consistent with Superfund Recycling Equity Act (SREA) for federal Superfund sites. Read ISRI’s SREA Reasonable Care Compliance Program.
  • Supporting international recycling standards, such as the Recycling Industry Operating Standard® (RIOS®), R2 and ISO.
  • Promoting the goals of Environmental Justice, by means of our members’ environmentally responsible recycling operations and close work with their communities.
  • Efforts toward safe and effective recycling of lithium batteries and electric vehicle batteries and reduction and prevention of fire and other risks, such as in partnership with OSHA and EPA.
  • Industry’s operational and workplace safety commitments to the OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) guidelines and the OSHA Alliance Cooperative Program.
  • Addressing distracted and impaired driving to achieve the National Safety Council’s zero roadway deaths by 2050 initiative. See how recyclers promote transportation safety.
  • Workforce development in collaboration with HBCUs/TCUs, community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and K-12 schools to develop curriculum and train the next generation of recyclers.
  • Combined NMVTIS reporting with State reporting to increase compliance and ensure effective end of life vehicle (ELV) management.
  • Continued participation in the NVMSRP by all stakeholders to ensure remaining convenience lighting mercury switches are responsibly removed from the recycling stream.

Have Questions?