E-scrap recycling could be the key to strengthening domestic supplies of critical materials, according to the Recycled Materials Association’s comments to the Department of Energy. | Tada Images/Shutterstock
The Recycled Materials Association suggested the U.S. Department of Energy invest in the e-scrap recycling industry in response to the agency’s 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment.
ReMA announced its support for strengthening domestic supply chains for energy critical materials, such as aluminum, copper and steel. The association also noted the potential of e-scrap recycling to create that domestic supply by reusing critical materials in post-consumer electronics.
In a press release, the association noted over 70% of steel and 80% of aluminum produced domestically comes from recycling.
“ReMA and the recycled materials industry are ready to support and participate in the establishment of strong domestic supply chains for ECMs,” Dr. David Wagger, chief scientist at ReMA, said in the press release. “As manufacturers increasingly look for more materials for production, it is critical that recycled materials be a key solution to securing the manufacturing supply chain.”
The association’s comments also noted that other federal policies, such as tariffs, licensing requirements and bans, could hinder the e-scrap recycling industry from fulfilling the need for domestic critical material supplies by restricting access to other countries and regions in demand of recycled critical materials.The DOE issued a Request for Information in June to ask for input from industry leaders for the agency’s 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment. The assessment aims to identify the need for critical materials and minerals in domestic manufacturing in accordance with President Donald Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order, signed in January.