Page 33 from: May 2013

33May 2013

scrap commodities. We need to remind all gov-

ernments that artificial barriers to the free trade

of commodities can, unintentionally and coun-

ter-intuitively, have a detrimental effect on eco-

nomic growth and that efforts to control scrap

prices through export controls or excessive

export duties can actually result in increases in

prices as a result of the economic phenomenon

known as control reversal as raw material sup-

plies are removed from the global marketplace.’

What has been the most fundamental
change to recycling structures over this
15-year period?
‘While scrap recycling has long been a global

industry, the extent of global trade has

increased dramatically over the last 15 years –

both in terms of the volume of scrap traded and

the number of players engaged in internation-

al trade. The result has been that scrap is far less

dependent on local supplies and markets than

ever before, but is much more vulnerable to

world economic conditions. In 2000, the USA

exported less than US$ 5 billion worth of scrap;

in 2012, nearly US$ 30 billion of scrap metal,

plastics, rubber and paper was exported to 160

different countries. It is now typical that

30-40% of all the scrap processed within the

USA will be sold into export markets.

Also affecting the market dynamic over the last

15 years is the extent to which ferrous scrap is

shipped in export containers, growing from less

than 10% to now almost 30% of exports. The

use of containers has opened up export oppor-

tunities to many land-locked suppliers. Small

exporters are able to more easily enter the mar-

ket by packing containers in their yards and

sending them direct, or via brokers, to overseas

consumers, resulting in reduced scrap flows for

dealers located at the docks. Suppliers to tradi-

tional scrap exporters have become competi-

tors, forcing the traditional exporters to reach

further inland to source scrap, in many cases

purchasing feeder yards to secure their supplies,

and thus driving industry consolidation.’

For you, what has been the most inspir-
ing speech of the last decade and a half?
‘One recent speech that inspired me to act was

delivered by Dr Robert D. Ballard – the oceanog-

rapher and explorer who discovered the ship-

wreck of the ‘‘Titanic’’. To his suprise, he found

his discovery inspired huge curiosity excitement

about science among school-age children. He

decided to build on that interest by creating a

non-profit organisation that connects students

with scientists, engineers and researchers to

provide mentored, learning experiences. The

result of his efforts was The Jason Project which

now, more than 20 years later, has become an

organisation dedicated to creating interactive

and engaging student curriculum and teaching

resources. I was hooked by Dr Ballard’s message.

And it just happens that, at the time I heard Dr

Ballard speak, ISRI was looking to create a sec-

ondary school curriculum around recycling. I

was able then to connect ISRI and The Jason

Project.’

How has the general public’s attitude
to recycling changed in the last 15 years?
‘There has certainly been an increased awareness

of recycling. Unfortunately, recycling is largely

still seen through the lens of kerbside recycling.

Glass, newspapers and cardboard recycling are

seen as “good recycling” whereas our industry is

perceived to be part of the problem of materials

theft, despite all the efforts of the industry over

the last several years to be part of the solution to

this problem. This is slowly changing through

the good works of many of our member com-

panies, who are developing relationships with

law enforcement, businesses and other stake-

holders within their local communities. ISRI is

also working on the national level to change

opinions and spread the word about the positive

contributions of the recycling industry from the

protection of the environment and to the impact

on the economy. Educating the public about our

segment and working to improve the image of

the industry must continue to be a priority for

all of us. But we must recognise that it takes a

long-term effort to affect the public’s thinking.’

ISRI has been a big supporter of Design
for Recycling®. To what extent would
you say this concept is now embedded
in the American psyche?
‘ISRI continues to integrate the concept of Design

for Recycling® (DfR) into all of our activities and

all of our messaging but, unfortunately, our

efforts have been met with mixed success. Appli-

ance manufacturers were among those who

quickly responded to ISRI’s call when we first

raised the issue with them more than 15 years

ago; they reduced the number of different plastics

used, eliminated toxics such as cadmium as a

pigment for their paints and quickly supplanted

mercury switches in all applications except a very

few where safety would have been compromised.

Unfortunately, there are still many manufactur-

ers that have failed to integrate DfR in their

design processes. A good example is mercury

convenience light switches in automobiles; auto

manufacturers were made aware in 1992 that

mercury was a toxic material. While a suitable

substitute switch was widely available at that

time, and comparable in performance, auto

manufacturers chose to ignore our entreaties,

resulting a decade later in a very significant

clash between our two industries.

Despite its slow adoption by manufacturers,

ISRI is proud that many other groups have

begun to recognise that DfR is the solution.’

Does legislation elsewhere in the world
drive change within the USA?
‘We see much less influence today than in the

past of US law-makers looking to the EU or

other regions of the world for policy direction.

I would imagine that this is due in large part to

the fact that so many companies operating in

the USA are global players and thus, for the sake

of manufacturing and logistics efficiencies, are

accommodating EU legislation by modifying

their operations and practices globally, thereby

making it unnecessary for the USA to imple-

ment similar requirements.’

Do the USA and other highly-developed
countries have a responsibility to
spread recycling best practice to the
wider world?
‘I believe strongly that we do have a role to play

in promoting safe and environmentally respon-

sible recycling in developing countries and

economies in transition. ISRI has participated

in a number of forums over the years for the

exchange of best management practices and

technology in an effort to provide real oppor-

tunities for improving the health and safety

conditions in developing countries.’

‘Scrap is far less
dependent on local

supplies and markets
than ever before.’

Robin Wiener:
barriers to free trade can
damage growth

RI-4_Interview_Wiener.indd 33 03-05-13 14:10