THE PULSE
NEWSLETTER OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF RECYCLING INDUSTRIES
Vol. 21, Issue 10, October 2016
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Election results are in, and Donald Trump will be the United States’ next President. For our industry, Mr. Trump’s pledges to renegotiate, or get rid of, international trade agreements are somewhat concerning. The United States is Canada’s largest trade partner and the strength of our economy is inextricably linked to theirs. Though Mr. Trump’s campaign made the future of the economic relationships between the U.S. and foreign nations seem uncertain, Canada is an unlikely target.
While on the campaign trail, Mr. Trump criticized The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and the actions of several nations, most notably China. He argued that foreign trade was negatively impacting the American workforce by weakening the manufacturing sector. Mr. Trump made no mention of Canada likely because our two nations benefit from a unique trade relationship. In many instances, Canada-U.S. trade supports manufacturing in both nations: much of what is imported and exported across our border is not finished goods, but materials and equipment used to manufacture products.
Prime Minister Trudeau issued a statement shortly after the election welcoming Mr. Trump and pledging to continue to strengthen ties with the United States. Some news reports have suggested Canadian officials would be willing to renegotiate agreements in NAFTA should Mr. Trump wish to do so. At this point, all signs point to our political leadership prioritizing a solid economic relationship with the United States.
As always, CARI will advocate on your behalf for truly free and fair trade, and we will continue to work alongside our American business allies. Please contact CARI staff if you have any questions or concerns.
Dan Klufas,
CARI Chair
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POLICY UPDATE
The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment’s (CCME) Waste Management Task Group (WMTG) has invited CARI to provide comments on a proposed guidance document on selecting policies to address construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste.
WMTG is developing guidance to support Canadian governments in selecting policies to increase reduction and diversion of specific CRD waste materials.The proposed guidance document presents policy options appropriate for federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. The proposed document can be read here.
Please contact CARI President Tracy Shaw at 1-613-728-6946 or [email protected] if you wish to discuss this document. Our comments are due December 7, 2016.
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MEMBERS MAKING NEWS
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FAST FACTS
- The inaugural meeting of the World Council of Recycling Associations recently took place during BIR’s World Recycling Convention in Amsterdam. BIR President Ranjt Baxi has dubbed the World Council “the United Nations of Recycling”, which will unify attempts to develop awareness of the recycling industry among policymakers and the general public. The Council also aims to increase academic studies and research to confirm the numerous environmental and economic benefits of recycling. CARI has voiced support for the Council.
- Two recycling executives have come together to revive recently shuttered Entropex LLC, a plastics recycling facility in Sarnia, Ontario. Emmie Leung of Emterra Group and Tony Moucachen of Merlin Plastics Group have purchased the company and intend to rename and restart operations, in stages.
- ISRI has once again voiced support for a permanent exemption for mobile communications device unlocking, through comments submitted to the United States Copyright Office. The association is advocating for permission for recyclers to bulk unlock devices they obtain legally, and has specified that exemptions should be specific, so as not to exempt traffickers.
- Basel Action Network (BAN), an electronics recycling advocacy group is planting GPS tracking devices in exports of e-waste to deter illegal shipment of electronic waste overseas. BAN administers an e-Stewards standard and certification program. It will use GPS devices to track whether e-waste shipments from the United States are being sent to prohibited locations based on foreign waste trade laws.
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Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
130 Albert Street Suite 1906
Ottawa, On K1P 5G4
Canada
Telephone: 613-728-6946
Fax: 705-835-6196
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