ReMA effort yields Capitol Hill meetings

The Washington-based Recycled Materials Association (ReMA ) says more than 150 of its recycling sector members helped conduct 140 meetings with United State representatives, senators and staff members as part of a late February “Congressional Fly-In” effort.

The group says its members carried a unifying message: America is Made with Recycled Materials. That message has been part of ReMA’s campaign designed to introduce the association’s new name and brand identity. (The group formerly had been known as the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, or ISRI.)

That same message also emphasizes that “recycled materials are everywhere,” says ReMA. “From everyday items to our essential infrastructure, recycled materials strengthen the manufacturing supply chain to ensure a stronger economy, supply chain and nation,” states the group.

“The recycled materials industry plays a crucial role in every congressional district in the U.S.,” says Robin Wiener, president of ReMA. “Our members supply high-quality, renewable resources for everything from essential national infrastructure, like bridges and buildings, to consumer products like laptops, beverage cans, boxes and cars. It’s hard to go one day—or even an hour—without using a product made in part with recycled material.”

Among the topics discussed at the meetings were: protection against tariffs and export restrictions; support for resilient supply chains; “essential” designation for the recycled materials industry; and extended perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) liability protections for what ReMA calls “passive receivers.”

Remarks Wiener, “The recycled materials industry is excited to share our message—as well as our new look and name—with the new administration and members of Congress. We are creating a ‘Surround Sound’ approach so that everyone in Washington understands our industry’s impact.”