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For Immediate Release 
January 17, 2014

ISRI:
Mark Carpenter
MarkCarpenter@isri.org

Recycling Caucus Co-Chair previews year’s agenda

(Washington, DC) – House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (IL-15) yesterday addressed the Government Relations Committee of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) during its Winter Board of Directors Meeting. The Congressman discussed this year’s legislative agenda that is before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, of which he serves as chairman. The agenda is as follows: the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) reform, nuclear waste disposal, and energy exploration. Rep. Shimkus made a point of telling the audience that one issue that will not be taken up is a bill to ban exports of used electronics products.

Specifically, when asked about the prospects of the federal bill in the 113th Congress that would ban the exports of used electronics products to certain countries (HR 2791), Rep. Shimkus responded that this bill is not going to be on the committee agenda and does not warrant further Congressional attention. Among the reasons the Congressman cited were that a case simply had not been made demonstrating the need for such legislation, especially in light of the recent reports that show illicit exports are dramatically lower than proponents of the bill have claimed.  He also cited concerns that the bill would violate U.S. trade obligations at the World Trade Organization, and fear of providing expansive new regulatory authority to EPA.    

In 2013, both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Materials Systems Laboratory and the U.S. International Trade Commission released reports providing irrefutable evidence that used electronics products are being reused and recycled in America, not “dumped” into developing countries as proponents of export controls have argued for years. These followed similar findings in a 2011 study by the International Data Corporation.

“Congressman Shimkus is a strong supporter of recycling and demonstrates a deep understanding of the issues related to our industry,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “We are very thankful for his thoughtful leadership as the co-chair of the House Recycling Caucus.”

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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI)
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling Industry™. ReMA represents more than 1,700 companies in 21 chapters nationwide that process, broker and industrially consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides safety, education, advocacy, 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. For more information about ISRI, visit www.ISRI.org.