ISRI Offers E-Recycling Input

The board of directors of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), Washington, has adopted a substantial new Electronics Recycling policy that it says will guide the association’s legislative efforts and establish a coalition of business and environmental organizations to address electronic scrap issues.

“ISRI supports legislation that promotes a market-based, sustainable recycling infrastructure and facilitates the recycling of electronics in an environmentally sound manner,” reads the new ISRI policy. The policy statement addresses many key issues that must be dealt with as the industry and the country seek solutions to the growing amount of electronic scrap being generated.

These issues include producer responsibility, advanced recycling fees (ARFs), designing for recycling, specifications for electronic scrap, and certification standards for recyclers such as ISRI’s Recycling Industry Operating Standard (RIOS).

“Current legislative efforts have been far too focused on the costs of recycling E-scrap,” says Eric Harris, ISRI’s Director of Governmental Affairs. “Effective legislation will address the E-Scrap issue from all sides, including design, manufacturing, de-manufacturing, environmental impacts as well as economic impacts. As experts in the collection and disposition of scrap commodities, ISRI members are taking the lead in establishing effective policy.”

ISRI members and staff are scheduled to visit with state and national legislators and regulators in the coming weeks to introduce the policy and to provide support for the creation of sound legislation that can improve E-scrap recycling in North America.

On Sept. 22, ISRI is also hosting a panel discussion titled “Electronics Recycling End-Use Consumer Markets: The Challenges of Today and Tomorrow” as a part of its Commodities Roundtable Forum in suburban Chicago. The event will also include a morning tour of E-scrap recycling facilities owned by United Recycling Industries, West Chicago, Ill.