Scrap yards deemed essential ops: ISRI

The US Department of Homeland Security updated its guidelines for essential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic to include organizations in those businesses' supply chains, providing federal coverage for keeping scrap metal recycling facilities in operation.

The revision follows a letter sent last week to US vice president Mike Pence from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries requesting that scrap yards and recyclers receive "essential" designations amid local and state government-mandated closures of businesses to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

"This new wording recognizes that the manufacturing of materials and products are dependent on manufacturers' abilities to obtain the feedstock necessary to feed their operations," said ISRI president Robin Wiener. "Recyclers are essential businesses that supply critical raw materials to keep manufacturers in operation."

The revisions called for workers in the supply chains of critical manufacturing to be labeled essential, including the supply chains necessary for "transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, operations of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base."

As of midday today 18 states are under statewide orders to stay-at-home including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

By Will Ehrhardt