ReMA Unveils Pro-Recycling Advocacy Agenda Ahead of 2026 Elections and 120th Congress
((July 14, 2026 – Washington, D.C.) – As voters head toward the 2026 midterm elections and Washington prepares for a new Congress, the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) today released its 2026 Advocacy Agenda, outlining the policy priorities needed to strengthen America’s infrastructure and secure its economic future.
America is made with recycled materials — from the steel in our buildings to the copper in our electrical grid and the aluminum, paper, plastics, and glass that manufacturers rely on every day. The agenda calls on our leaders in government to advance practical, bipartisan policies that recognize recycled materials as essential to domestic manufacturing, critical mineral recovery and economic competitiveness.
“As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, there has never been a better time to reaffirm one of our nation’s greatest strengths: Our ability to turn resources into opportunity,” said ReMA President Robin Wiener. “Recycled materials are the backbone of American manufacturing. We look forward to working with the administration and lawmakers at all levels of government to ensure our industry – and the manufacturers who rely on us – continue to thrive.”
ReMA’s Advocacy Priorities
Strengthen Manufacturing Supply Chains
Recycled materials are essential to American manufacturing, supporting everything from infrastructure and transportation to packaging and consumer products. Strong domestic demand, efficient transportation, and reliable access to global markets are all critical to maintaining resilient supply chains.
We will be working with policymakers who champion global market access for recycled materials and oppose unnecessary and overly restrictive trade measures. In addition, ReMA will seek out allies who will fight material theft and who support freight network modernization and transportation infrastructure investments.
Enable a Strong, Innovative, and Competitive Recycling Industry
Modern recycling depends on long-term investment, innovation and regulatory certainty. Policies that encourage infrastructure development and recognize recycling as a critical part of the supply chain help ensure the U.S. remains globally competitive.
ReMA is asking policymakers to protect pro-investment policies that enable infrastructure growth, innovation and long-term competitiveness. We also need to establish clear, uniform definitions of recycling to eliminate regulatory confusion and market barriers.
Advance Smart Environmental Policy
Recycling delivers significant environmental benefits by conserving natural resources. It also reduces energy use and cuts emissions. Environmental policies should protect these benefits while remaining scientifically sound, operationally feasible and supportive of continued investment and innovation.
We will champion responsible end-of-life management policies for batteries and battery-containing products that improve safety and support recovery, while recognizing recycled materials as valuable manufacturing inputs.
Build the Recycling Workforce of Tomorrow
People are the foundation of the recycled materials industry. Strengthening workplace safety and expanding training, education and career pathways will ensure the industry has the skilled workforce needed for continued growth.
“We are a nation that has always been resourceful. It’s truly one of our defining qualities,” said Andy Golding, ReMA Board Chair and Chief Strategy Officer at Kripke Enterprises Inc. “Recycled materials are among the country’s most strategic resources. They provide manufacturers with secure, affordable and environmentally responsible raw materials while strengthening America’s economy and industrial base.”
ReMA’s Advocacy Agenda is available here.
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The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) represents more than 1,700 companies in over 40 countries that transform end-of-life products into essential, high-quality raw materials the world relies on every day. Across metals, paper, plastics, glass, textiles, rubber, and electronics, ReMA members safely and efficiently transform end-of-life products into the building blocks that power manufacturing, strengthen and secure global supply chains, and protect natural resources. In the U.S. alone, ReMA members deliver $183 billion in economic activity each year and contribute 603,000 jobs in communities nationwide. Learn more at http://www.recycledmaterials.org.