ISRI’s Pickard named to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Nonferrous Metals

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) today announced that Chief Economist and Director of Commodities Joe Pickard was selected to serve on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Building Materials, Construction, and Nonferrous Metals (ITAC-9). Joe will serve as the representative of the U.S. scrap recycling industry.

The Industry Trade Advisory Committees are joint partnerships between the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Commerce. They work by bringing together business leaders in order to develop U.S. trade policy regarding their respective industry.

“It’s an honor to represent ISRI on ITAC-9 and I’ll be delighted to serve as a liaison between the scrap industry, the Commerce Department, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on nonferrous-related trade issues,” said Pickard. “Promoting the free trade of all scrap commodities, including nonferrous scrap, is critical to our industry and I’m very much looking forward to helping ISRI members convey their trade-related issues and concerns to these key government officials."

Of the $21 billion of scrap commodities exported from the United States last year, nonferrous metals including copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, and nickel scrap together accounted for $6.7 billion of export sales. Mr. Pickard’s new role in keeping the relevant U.S. government agencies informed of current and potential barriers to the free and fair trade of nonferrous scrap not only benefits ISRI members by helping to maintain open markets and promote U.S. exports, but is also consistent with ISRI’s longstanding commitment to free trade.

In addition to Mr. Pickard’s appointment to the ITAC-9, ISRI President Robin Wiener serves on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC-12).