President Trump’s “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order is a bold vision to restore our nation’s landscapes and supercharge our economy. By prioritizing domestic recycling, we can transform litter into opportunity, reduce reliance on foreign imports, and empower American workers and businesses. Federal lawmakers and the Trump administration have a historic chance to lead with market-driven policies that deliver prosperity and pride.
Litter isn’t just an eyesore, it is a drain on taxpayers and an assault on our country’s natural beauty. Cities spend billions cleaning up trash that could fuel our domestic supply chain. Discarded aluminum, glass, and plastic, worth billions annually, clutter our roads, rivers, and landfills while manufacturers import recycled materials from abroad. This inefficiency weakens our economy and exposes us to global supply chain risks.
The solution lies in smart incentives that unleash American ingenuity.
Aluminum recycling is a prime example of our potential. Americans use over 100 billion aluminum cans yearly, yet we discard more than half, wasting $800 million in raw materials. Recycling aluminum uses just 5% of the energy needed for new metal, making it a cost-effective driver of American manufacturing. More critically, aluminum is vital for military equipment, aerospace, and infrastructure. Domestic recycling secures a resilient supply chain, reducing dependence on unstable foreign markets.
Raising the national aluminum can recycling rate to 90% could create 104,000 American jobs, double recycling industry wages, and generate $1.6 billion in economic activity. This isn’t just about cleaner communities; it’s about strengthening American industry and self-reliance. Federal policymakers can drive these wins with proven, market-based tools like deposit-return systems.
Deposit-return programs aren’t taxes—they’re refundable incentives that reward responsibility. Consumers pay a small deposit on beverage containers, refunded upon return. States with these systems achieve 74% aluminum can recycling rates, compared to 26% in states without them. Scaling these programs nationally would reclaim billions in materials, cut landfill waste, and bolster domestic manufacturers. It’s a policy that respects individual choice and delivers results.
President Trump’s vision rejects the false choice between prosperity and environmental stewardship. A domestic circular economy keeps valuable materials in use, strengthens manufacturers, and enhances competitiveness. By prioritizing recycling, we clean our lands and waters while building a stronger, more independent America.
Lawmakers and the administration must seize this moment. The national working group implementing this initiative should focus on three priorities: scaling deposit-return systems, expanding recycling infrastructure, and incentivizing private-sector leadership. Streamlining permitting for recycling equipment and facilities, along with tax credits for companies investing in using domestic recycled content can accelerate progress. These steps empower states and businesses to innovate, driving results without expanding bureaucracy.
This is America’s chance to lead with strength and common sense. Recycling more reduces reliance on foreign materials, creates jobs, and restores our communities’ beauty. The Trump administration’s commitment to American greatness demands policies that deliver tangible wins—cleaner cities, thriving industries, and a secure nation.
We urge Congress and the administration to partner with states and industry to make domestic recycling the backbone of this initiative. Let’s build a nation where nothing valuable is wasted, where our economy soars, and where our lands reflect the pride of a free, prosperous people. Make America Beautiful Again starts with policies that put America first—cleaner, stronger, and built to lead.
Joe Trotter is the Director of Americans for Clean Water, a national nonprofit organization that organizes business leaders, industries, and other organizations to prevent and remove waterborne litter in America.
