​ISRI's 2018 advocacy agenda highlights industry's top policy challenges and opportunities

Fresh off major victories included in the tax reform law and through the resumption of U.S. Mint's Mutilated Coin Program and in advance of its 2018 Convention and Exposition, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has released its 2018 Advocacy Agenda. The Agenda highlights the recycling industry's priorities at the local, state, federal, and international levels related to Taxes & the Economy, International Trade, Energy and the Environment, Transportation & Infrastructure Development, Workplace Safety Initiatives, and Regulatory Policy.

"As the voice of the recycling industry, ISRI strongly advocates for the industry's top priorities in front of policymakers and regulators at every level of government," said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. "ISRI's advocacy efforts recently resulted in significant triumphs such as 100 percent expensing of the purchase of recycling equipment, retaining the Interest Charge Domestic Sales Corporation export tax incentive, and the resumption of the U.S. Mint's coin mutilation program. These accomplishments equate to millions of dollars in profits for ISRI members." 

The advocacy agenda serves as one of the many ways in which ISRI 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 ISRI using the agenda to represent the industry, individual members of ISRI can use it in their advocacy efforts, and policymakers can use it to learn more about key issues facing recycling. 

"Over the course of the last several months, China's ban on certain scrap imports and overall foreign trade policy have been the focal point of ISRI's advocacy efforts, and will continue to play a major role in 2018," continued Wiener. "Beyond China, policy and regulatory decisions are being made every day that influence the bottom lines of every business in the recycling industry. ISRI will continue to have an important voice on key recycling issues including the upcoming debate on transportation infrastructure, the use of science-based evidence in policy decisions, environmental and safety regulations, and more."

ISRI Advocacy Agenda is a living document that is continually updated to reflect ISR's achievements in the policy arena as well as new challenges and opportunities for the industry.