Washington, DC – In recognition of the pivotal role of its specifications in the global recycling industry marketplace, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is pleased to announce that it was awarded a total grant of $46,000 by the United States Department of Commerce. The grant was awarded to ISRI specifically for the advancement of 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,” said ISRI Chief Economist and Director of Commodities Joe Pickard. “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. We are excited for this award and the work to follow.”

The funding, awarded by the Market Development Cooperator Program, will be used to create a new interactive, on-line scrap specification resource, and support educational outreach to inform stakeholders about industry standards and best practices. Currently published in the ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular, the Specifications serve both as broad guidelines and as a starting point in discussions between buyers and sellers domestically and globally.

“Congratulations to ISRI on receiving a 2021 Market Development Cooperator Program award,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “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 is undertaking a wholesale review of the ISRI Specifications in order to reflect today’s recycled commodity markets and to improve its accessibility by governments and industry.

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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the "Voice of the Recycling Industry™." ISRI represents 1,300 companies in the U.S. and more than 40 countries that process, broker, and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides education, advocacy, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development. Generating nearly $116 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides more than 506,000 Americans with good jobs.