ISRI webinar provides outlook on new administration, policies

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) hosted a webinar Jan. 13 to discuss President-elect Biden's administration and its expected emphasis on the environment and how cabinet appointments and other factors could affect recycling operations.

Attendees heard brief introductions from ISRI President Robin Wiener and Gary Champlin, the chair of the ISRI board of directors, before hearing from Billy Johnson, chief lobbyist for the association, and Adina Renee Adler, its vice president of advocacy.

The hourlong webinar featured examined opportunities and challenges within Congress that could affect the recycling industry as well.

Wiener also addressed the challenges the last year posed, including the pandemic and election season, but said she’s hopeful for 2021.

Key priorities for Biden's administration

Johnson discussed the changes in Congress and what that could mean for policy going forward. As of the 2020 election, Republicans narrowed the margin within the House of Representatives, with only about 10 seats separating the parties.  

He said the thin Democratic majority puts a bit more pressure on moderate Democrats who may be unsure about certain deals and spending proposals.

“In other words, Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi needs practically every single vote in the Democratic caucus in order to pass anything, leaving her vulnerable to just a handful of members who could defeat her on a crucial vote,” Johnson said.

He also mentioned some committee changes, as well as many seats that will stay the same in 2021, and how those changes and consistencies could potentially impact policies.

Over the last few years, Johnson said a majority of recycling legislation, including the Green New Deal, has come into play as the practice has become more prevalent and important to Americans. Given that recycling is very important and contributes to energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions, Johnson said it could become a target for those looking to make strides in climate change policy.

Those are not the only focuses for Biden’s administration, though.

“The Biden administration and Congress both want large infrastructure spending packages to improve the nation’s transportation and communication systems,” Johnson said. He added that those packages could lead to opportunities to include more recycled content in building materials and to study ways to use recycled materials.

Johnson said Biden has indicated a few main areas he plans to address, including climate change, clean energy and environmental justice. In his first 100 days, Johnson said Biden will issue a regulatory freeze and issue some executive orders and most likely will address issues with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on topics like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Potential trade policies

During the webinar, Adler shared her thoughts on thetrade agreements President-elect Biden could engage in.

“There are questions about what trade agreement he would immediately engage in,” she said. “There’s even some statements being made by his [cabinet] nominees and himself that he probably would not start anything new right away until he can get some of his domestic priorities in order.”

Adler said Biden likely will use trade to re-engage with world leaders and work with allies to promote trade and the benefits it offers.

Biden also likely will need to fill out his cabinet before he can make any moves, she said, but having Katherine Tai as the potential U.S. Trade Representative could help. Adler said Tai speaks fluent Chinese, which could create a new approach to China-related trade policies.

One bigger unknown for the Biden administration is what could happen with the Trade Promotion Authority, which expires July 1. Adler said some members of Congress have signaled that they want to renew this, but it ultimately will come down to Biden’s decision. She added that because Biden has signaled he might not make any trade decisions quickly, this might not be an immediate priority.