ReMA opposes European efforts seeking export restrictions for recyclables

Robin K. Wiener, president of the Washington-based Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) has released a statement in response to officials from several European governments who called for export restrictions for recycled steel at the Summit on the Future of the European Steel Industry in Paris Feb. 27, adding ReMA’s opposition to that of The European Recycling Industries' Confederation (EuRIC) and the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), both based in Brussels.

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“The materials provided by recyclers worldwide are the first link in global manufacturing supply chains, which is why recent efforts by several European Union (EU) member states to restrict exports of recycled steel poses a significant threat to recyclers and manufacturers that rely on recyclable commodities to fulfill more than 40 percent of the global raw material needs,” Wiener says.

“ReMA and its global partners have long supported free and fair trade policies for recyclable commodities as access to global markets is crucial for the competitiveness of the recycled materials industry worldwide, as well as for a resilient and sustainable global manufacturing supply chain. While most recyclables are consumed domestically in both the U.S. and the EU, both of our economies are net exporters to global manufacturers that seek high-quality, sustainable inputs. The needs of consumers in the U.S., EU and around the globe drive the demand recycled materials and governments should not take steps to intervene in these markets.”

Wiener continues, “When trade restrictions are imposed—like those outlined by the governments of Belgium, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia and Spain—materials are often stranded without the necessary demand. This will likely result in less recycling, less investment and less jobs and more dependence on mined and extracted materials.

“The European Commission has already implemented modifications to its Waste Shipment Regulations (WSR), which will effectively reduce global trade in sustainable manufacturing inputs, despite these new regulations aiming to protect the environment. Further efforts, including this call by European governments and consuming industries, to restrict exports of recycled steel will only reduce the competitiveness of recyclers in the EU and manufacturers worldwide.”

Wiener adds that ReMA anticipates constructive engagement with the U.S. government to oppose these and any other export restrictions that could inhibit the trade of recyclables.