A year of fundamental change reviewed in annual report from Institute of Scrap Recycling IndustriesA year of fundamental change reviewed in annual report from Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries

For 30 years, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI; Washington, DC) has served as the “voice of the recycling industry." Over the course of that time, few years have brought as much change as 2017. In ISRI’s just released 2017 Annual Report, the impact of these changes and the important role the organization has played in helping the industry navigate the landscape are highlighted in detail.

“Many will look back at 2017 as the year China announced its ban on certain scrap imports,” said ISRI President Robin Wiener. “While this dramatically alters the landscape of our industry, many other changes are also taking place, causing the industry to continue to evolve as it has so many times in the past. Changes in the U.S. administration, shifting global trade policies, new technologies, an overhaul of the U.S. tax structure and more have impacted business, markets and trade. Throughout all of this, the one constant has been ISRI working hard to assist and advocate on behalf of our members and the recycling industry.”

In addition to the industry’s response to China, other ISRI highlights from 2017 covered in the report include successfully advocating for provisions in the U.S. tax reform package to encourage investment in recycling equipment; creation of the MRF Council to help with issues concerning the collection, recovery, and processing of curbside recyclables; and development of guidance for a new NAFTA trade agreement.

“As we have just concluded our 30th anniversary, we can now look back and see how much the industry has changed, and the important role ISRI has played in its evolution thanks to our membership,” said Wiener. “With the start of 2018, ISRI is excited for the future that lies ahead.”