President Donald Trump has signed an order that allows U.S. officials to restrict exports of scrap materials containing critical minerals, including old batteries and other electronic waste. The move is aimed at keeping more mineral-rich waste inside the country instead of letting it be shipped abroad.
According to the White House description of the measure, the policy is designed to strengthen domestic recycling and improve the recovery of valuable materials already present in discarded products. By focusing on electronic waste and battery scrap, the administration is trying to support a larger supply of reusable inputs for U.S. industry.
The order also reflects broader concern over global supply chains for key minerals used in modern manufacturing and energy technologies. Officials have framed the action as part of an effort to counter China’s strong position in critical mineral processing and supply.
In practice, the new authority gives federal agencies a way to block certain exports when the materials could be recovered and reused at home. The decision signals a push to treat e-waste and battery scrap not just as trash, but as a strategic source of minerals for domestic production.
