International Trade

Major Exporter - Helping the Balance of Trade

The U.S. scrap recycling industry provides the high value, environmentally friendly and energy-saving raw materials that make America’s manufacturing industries more competitive in the global marketplace. The scrap industry also supplies the world’s rapidly growing demand for all manner of commodities ranging from iron and steel, to paper, nonferrous metals, plastics, electronics, rubber and more. In 2010, commodity grade scrap products were exported to more than 155 countries worldwide, generating nearly $30 billion in export sales and significantly helping the U.S. balance of trade.

ISRI Policy on Free and Fair Trade

The scrap recycling industry is an integral part of today’s global economy. By definition, a global economy contemplates the trade of scrap recyclables across international borders. Such trade across borders must be conducted in a free and fair manner.

As part of its role in encouraging free trade, it is proper for ISRI to be a forum for information exchange and education on issues related to free trade. As part of its role in encouraging fair trade, ISRI raises documented issues of unfair or illegal trade practices with the Office of the United States Trade Representative and other appropriate government(s) agency(ies).  Following are some recent examples of steps taken by ISRI in this regard -

•   February 2013 Letter to South African Department of Economic Development
•   February 2011 Estimating the Price Elasticity of Ferrous Scrap Supply
•   December 2010 Iron and Steel Scrap Accumulation and Availability
•   The National Inventory of Obsolete Copper Scrap

Issue Areas

• Free and Fair Trade
  •  What's Up With the Price of Scrap
  •  The Case for Rejecting Scrap Export Restrictions (Again!)
• Issues by Geographic Area:
  • China 
  • India 
  • EU
  • South America
  • NAFTA
• ISRI International Missions:
  • China 
  • India 
  • Mexico