Washington, D.C. – Over 100 scrap recyclers joined their colleagues Wednesday at the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries’ seventh annual congressional fly-in. The day began with a legislative breakfast where Rep. Chuck Fleischman of Tennessee spoke to ISRI members about the current state of play in Washington and how one-on-one visits are of vital importance to conveying their message to those who represent them on the Hill.
Over 100 meetings with Congressmen, Congresswomen, Senators and staff were scheduled for the remainder of the day. ISRI members had the opportunity to meet face to face with the men and women who could be determining the future of the scrap recycling industry here in the United States and abroad.
“We must constantly remind policymakers about how much the scrap recycling industry does for the local, state, national, and international economies as well as how it protects the environment, conserves natural resources, creates jobs, and generates tax revenue. ISRI’s fly-in event offers one of the best forums for conveying those messages,” said ISRI Director of Political and Public Affairs, Billy Johnson.
This year ISRI members focused their meetings on three legislative and regulatory proposals facing the industry that, if implemented, would change the scrap recycling business in fundamental ways. Firstly, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule that would affect the definition of scrap materials in the marketplace, subjecting the industry to new regulations and possibly removing the exclusion from solid waste rules that scrap metal has long enjoyed. Second, a federal legislative proposal would restrict exports of electronic scrap, limiting electronics recyclers’ access to international markets. And finally, they addressed the threat that members of Congress could introduce a federal materials-theft bill that would impose draconian measures on the scrap recycling industry instead of the criminals.
“If you aren’t out there speaking for yourself, someone else will speak for you—and not necessarily with your best interests in mind,” said Johnson. “That is why it is important to meet with your Representatives and let them know what they can do to help you run a successful business and keep contributing to both the US and global economy.”
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