As the first link in the manufacturing supply chain, recycling is integral to the U.S. economy. With more than 531,000 direct and indirect jobs and $4.94 billion generated in annual state and local tax revenues, keeping the industry open means keeping America’s manufacturers open to produce the critical products required for COVID-19 response and post-pandemic economic recovery.
Market Development & Economic Opportunity
- Essential Business Designation.The U.S. “Critical Manufacturing Sector” – including manufacturers and their supply chains – were deemed essential, and ISRI worked to ensure recyclers could remain open so as to continue supplying critical manufacturing with the raw materials they need to operate and meet the demands of keeping Americans safe.
- State-level Industry Designations, Closure Policies & Reopening Plans. State and local leaders put in place a wide-range of policies and plans for the best interest of their constituents, and ISRI provided the guidance and talking points on essential business designation as well as comprehensive and timely information and analysis to ensure compliance by our member companies.
- Financial Support Programs.ISRI supported the creation of Federal financial assistance programs and worked to ensure our members’ access to these programs, including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act; the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and grants; and other Federal stimulus funds.
- Business Liability Protection.Recycling as a critical industry remained open throughout the pandemic and during phased reopenings, but our businesses could face legal uncertainties as they continue to serve the public.ISRI joins other industries to strongly support Federal legislation that would provide liability protection for businesses that are deemed essential and follow accepted OSHA worker safety protocols.
International Trade
- Free and Fair Trade.Industries worldwide are economically impacted and searching for multi-layers of support, but trade restrictions are not the answer.ISRI reaffirms our commitment to free and fair trade and calls on governments not to implement export controls that, history has shown, will create unanticipated harm to manufacturing consumers in the form of supply constraints and price increases.
Workforce Safety
- Maintaining Operational Health & Safety.Working closely with the CDC, OSHA and the Department of Transportation, ISRI has ensured that recycling worker health and safety remained our industry’s number one priority by providing resources, guidelines, forums and advocacy to ensure ISRI members and employees institute the necessary procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.