(Washington, DC) – The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), which serves as the Voice of the Recycling Industry TM, recently released its legislative agenda detailing its advocacy priorities. The agenda emphasizes six broad issue areas affecting the industry: Taxes & the Economy, International Trade, Energy and the Environment, Transportation & Infrastructure Development, Workplace Safety Initiatives, and Regulatory Policy.
“The 2017 Legislative Agenda draws attention to the legislative priorities ReMA has been advocating for on behalf of its members for a number of years,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “With a new Administration settling in, and much uncertainty in Washington as a whole, we wanted to make it clear where ReMA stood on issues that impact the recycling industry. The decisions made by Congress, the Administration, at the state-level, and internationally can have far-reaching ramifications on recyclers. It is important that our members know we are fighting on their behalf every day at every level of government.”
The legislative agenda serves as one of the many ways in which ReMA promotes safe, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible recycling. It applies to policies and regulations at the state, national, and international levels where applicable. In addition to ReMA using the agenda to represent the industry, individual members of ReMA can use it in their advocacy efforts, and policymakers can use it to learn more about key issues facing recycling.
“Recycling is an economic leader and job creator, positively contributing to the U.S. balance of trade,” continued Wiener. “While it has proven to be remarkably durable throughout history, policies and regulations related to international trade, safety, transportation, taxes, and other issues can have a far-reaching impact. It is important that as an industry we are proactive in protecting our interests.”
The legislative agenda was released during the organization’s annual convention and exposition, held April 22-27 in New Orleans. Many of the sessions and workshops throughout the week focused on the key issues addressed in the legislative agenda, particularly related to international trade.
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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the "Voice of the Recycling Industry™." ReMA represents more than 1,300 companies in 21 chapters in the U.S. and 35 countries that process, broker, and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides education, advocacy, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development. Generating more than $105 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides nearly half a million Americans with good jobs.