ISRI receives grant to promote global recycling

The Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has announced it was awarded a $46,000 grant by the United States Department of Commerce to advance ISRI’s specifications and the association’s work promoting U.S. exports of recycled materials.

“The ISRI specifications are recognized across the world as the global standard for buying and selling a variety of processed recycled commodities,” says Joe Pickard, ISRI’s chief economist and director of commodities. “This grant will allow us to not only expand our reach but to also highlight the recycling industry’s role in positively impacting global trade, U.S. job creation and so much more.”

According to a news release from ISRI, the funding will be used to create an interactive, online scrap specification resource and support educational outreach to inform stakeholders about industry standards and best practices. The specifications serve as broad guidelines and a starting point in discussions between buyers and sellers domestically and globally.

“Congratulations to ISRI on receiving a 2021 Market Development Cooperator Program award,” says Gina Raimondo, United States secretary of commerce. “ISRI does critical work to increase awareness of industry standards, international specifications and best practices for U.S. recycling exports, and I am very proud to call them a partner in our efforts to make American businesses more competitive at home and abroad.”

ISRI says it is undertaking a wholesale review of the specifications to reflect today’s recycled commodity markets and to improve its accessibility by governments and industry.