Filipino Scrap Dealers Oppose Proposed Ban on Scrap Aluminum Exports

Scrap metal recyclers in the Philippines are urging the Filipino government to reject a proposal by the Consolidated Aluminum Smelter, Extruder and Kitchenware Manufacturing Association to ban the export of scrap aluminum.

Members of an association of metals recyclers in the Philippines, called SCRAP, claim that a ban would deprive scrap dealers of an alternative market for scrap aluminum and benefit only CASEKMA members who could then dictate the price at which they would buy the scrap metal from collectors and recyclers.

SCRAP had earlier succeeded in shooting down a similar proposal by the Philippine Steel Makers Association (PSMA), led by Cathay Pacific Steel Co., to ban the export of scrap metal to force junk dealers to sell their goods only to local players.

The House of Representatives' trade and industry committee, which had investigated the scrap metal sector, rejected an export ban and directed the dealers and users to settle price and quantity issues without government intervention.

Aquino Dy, president of SCRAP, said that Casekma has asked the Commission on Solid Waste Management to impose a ban on scrap metal exports because of the alleged shortage in scrap aluminum in the country.

CASEKMA filed its petition for an export ban with the Commission of Solid Management while the PSMA filed its opposition with the Department of Trade and Industry.