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ISRI Chief Economist and Director of Commodities Tapped for Top Industry Trade Advisory Committee

Joe Pickard Appointed to ITAC-5

(Washington, DC) – The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), the Voice of the Recycling Industry™, announces that Joe Pickard, chief economist and director of commodities, has been appointed to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Critical Minerals and Nonferrous Metals (ITAC-5). Pickard will represent the recycling industry through the 2022–26 charter term.

“It’s an honor to represent ISRI on ITAC-5 and I’m delighted to serve as a liaison with the recycling industry, the Commerce Department, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on nonferrous-related trade issues,” said Pickard.

ITACs are public-private partnerships jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the USTR. ITACs make recommendations that assist the U.S. in displaying unity when negotiating trade agreements with other nations.

“The addition of critical minerals to this ITAC’s portfolio is extremely important and timely given the administration’s focus on securing the domestic supply and incentivizing the recycling of critical minerals,” Pickard said.

The recycling industry is a major exporter. In 2021, 50,360 of the industry’s jobs were directly supported by export activities associated with the processing and brokerage operations of recyclers operating in the U.S., according to ISRI’s 2021 Economic Impact Study.

“Promoting the free and fair trade of all sustainably recycled commodities, including nonferrous metals and critical minerals, is critical for our industry,” said Pickard. “I’m looking forward to helping ISRI members convey their trade-related issues and concerns to these key government officials.”

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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 $117 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides more than 506,000 Americans with good jobs.

For More Information:

Vicki Morgan
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.
(202) 975.9042; vmorgan@isri.org

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