On July 30, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting federal officials new authority to block exports of electronic waste containing critical minerals. The measure is intended to support domestic recycling efforts, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, and strengthen national security. Under the order, the Commerce Department will be empowered to issue regulations that prevent used batteries and other e-waste from being shipped overseas.
Officials familiar with the decision said the administration aims to redirect materials such as tungsten and shredded battery components—commonly referred to as black mass—to U.S. recycling firms. According to data from the environmental group Basel Action Network, the United States currently exports nearly 33,000 metric tons of e-waste each month, much of which contains recoverable lithium and other critical minerals.
Representatives of the domestic recycling industry have long argued that retaining these materials in the United States could help meet federal mineral production targets and reduce the need to develop new mines. U.S. recyclers have also complained that they cannot compete with overseas processors that pay above-market rates for scrap materials. Several North American recycling companies, including Li-Cycle and Ascend Elements, have faced financial difficulties in the past 18 months, filing for bankruptcy protection.
Despite these challenges, new recycling projects are under way. Blue Whale Materials and two other firms are building battery recycling operations in Oklahoma. The timing of the order is significant, as the U.S. defense sector and other manufacturers face a January 1, 2027, deadline to cease purchasing critical minerals from certain foreign sources. Tungsten is a particular focus, since the United States has not commercially mined the metal since 2015 and Chinese producers dominate global output.
A recent study by Ohio-based recycler Cirba Solutions found that roughly 84% of Americans would be more likely to recycle their electronic devices if they knew it helped reduce dependence on foreign mineral supplies. By retaining and processing e-waste domestically, policymakers hope to capture vital minerals more quickly than relying on the lengthy timelines required to develop new mines and processing facilities.
Source: Reuters
