ISRI releases anti-scrap-theft recommendations

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries' (ISRI) Scrap Theft Task Force has released a list of recommendations titled "Recommended Practices and Procedures for Minimizing the Risks of Purchasing Stolen Scrap Materials" to help scrap purchasers address whether a transaction involves stolen or legitimate material.

The recommendations were approved by the ISRI board at its fall meeting. Scrap dealers already employ a variety of methods to prevent acceptance of stolen materials at their yards. The recommendations serve to enhance these existing procedures. They also are intended to allow scrap dealers to adopt the practices that are most appropriate for their facility. The recommendations include:

• Build working relationships with local law enforcement.
• Require identification from the seller.
• Make payment by check or ATM, or use tracking methods for cash transactions.
• Capture transactions on video surveillance.
• Prohibit certain items, such as clearly identifiable new production materials or items used only by governments and utility companies, unless they are accompanied by proper authorization.
• Train employees to identify suspicious materials.