Aluminum Association includes recycling among 2025 policy priorities

The Aluminum Association, Arlington, Virginia, has released a document called “Aluminum for America: A Presidential Policy Brief” that includes boosting the collection of the metal for recycling as a policy priority.

The association, which represents companies that make about 70 percent of the aluminum and aluminum products shipped in North America, calls the three-page document a “framework laying out strategic policy priorities for the incoming Trump administration and new Congress.”

In a news release announcing the availability of the brief, the Aluminum Association lists attention to and support of recycling second among its priorities.

The organization urges federal policy makers to improve collection infrastructure and support policies, including recycling refund and extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, to boost domestic recycling and secure an essential source of metal supply.

Within the document, the association claims some $1 billion worth of aluminum used beverage cans (UBCs) are sent to landfills each year.

“This is wasted metal that could be recycled to make a new product,” the trade group writes before stating its support for deposit-return and EPR systems.

The group says expanding such systems and increased UBC collection would support manufacturing jobs, increase U.S. independence in metal supply, save domestic energy and minimize the industry’s impact on the environment.

The organization also says using scrap cuts energy consumption by 95 percent compared to making new aluminum and that recycled aluminum already makes up more than 80 percent of U.S. aluminum production.

Of interest to U.S.-based aluminum producers and recyclers, the association urges Congress and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to “pursue strong, targeted trade enforcement.”

According to the Aluminum Association, “Unfair trade practices by China are the single largest threat to U.S. aluminum producers. Responses should include stronger import monitoring and tariff harmonization in North America. Such actions will begin to address the $60 billion in subsidies to Chinese aluminum firms that have roiled global markets and put some domestic aluminum assets out of business in recent years.”

Although Trump has been mentioning Canada prominently as a target of tariffs, the association says, “Trade enforcement should be aggressive but targeted to reinforce the partnerships and supply chains that ensure America’s aluminum manufacturing dominance, starting with vital partners like Canada.”

The association also gives an endorsement of aluminum as a critical material, saying it should be recognized as such for economic and national security reasons.

While seeking positive reinforcement, the association also portrays its industry sector as one that is growing and on sound footing.

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Citing a 2024 economic impact study, the organization says the U.S. aluminum industry generates nearly $228 billion in direct and indirect economic impact and supports nearly 700,000 jobs, including 164,000 direct industry jobs.

While the U.S. aluminum industry has invested more than $10 billion in midstream and downstream processing and recycling capacity over the last decade, The Aluminum Association says primary production in the U.S. continues to decline.

Demand for aluminum in the U.S. and Canada has been growing by more than 5 percent year over year, according to the association, citing demand for sustainable packaging, safe and efficient vehicles, greener buildings and vital infrastructure.

“American aluminum is already growing and expanding with robust demand and investment, but we need decisive policy action to unlock its full potential,” Aluminum Association President and CEO Charles Johnson says. “Policymakers across the spectrum recognize the vital importance that aluminum plays in a strong national economy and defense. Working together, America can win the future of aluminum production and recycling.”