New ISRI specifications approved for single-stream and dual-stream recyclables

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Board of Directors approved the addition of two new specifications to the ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular at its Winter Meeting on February 21, 2020:

Inbound Residential Single Stream Specification: Inbound Residential Single Stream is the material derived from a recycling method whereby residents of a community place allowed materials in a specifically designated receptacle to be left at a drop off point outside their residence. The purpose of the specification is to give Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and municipalities a common vernacular to negotiate the items that comprise the material stream derived from a single stream curbside collection program. The specifications describe not only the items that should be part of the system, but prohibitives and other materials that could be considered contaminants (View the entire specification).

Inbound Residential Dual Stream Specification:  Inbound Residential Dual Stream is the material derived from a recycling method whereby residents of a community place allowed materials in specifically designated receptacles to be left at a drop off point outside their residence that use separate bins or carts for paper and containers and are collected in separate compartments on one or more trucks. 

The purpose of this specification, same as the single-stream specification, is to give MRFs and municipalities a common vernacular to negotiate the items that comprise the material stream derived from a dual stream curbside collection program. The specifications describe not only the items that should be part of the system, but prohibitives and other materials that could be considered contaminants (View the entire specification).

The specifications were previously approved by ISRI's Paper and Plastics Divisions, along with its Paper Stock Industries (PSI) Chapter and MRF Committee. 

As per ISRI's Policy Manual, any party may submit to ISRI a written appeal of the ISRI Board's approval of these changes up to 30 days after publication of this notice. Written appeals must provide a rationale and a request for action. Once finalized, the new specification will be included in ISRI's Scrap Specifications Circular. ISRI's Scrap Specifications Circular provides industry guidelines for buying and selling a variety of processed scrap commodities, including ferrous, nonferrous, paper, plastics, electronics, rubber, and glass.

To submit comments, recommendations, or questions please contact Joe Pickard.