BIR’s ‘exceptional’ year of growth

The Bureau of International Recycling, meeting at its convention in Copenhagen, has reported a significant surplus after ‘a truly exceptional year, with lots of great initiatives and new projects’.

President Susie Burrage, speaking at the world recycling organisation’s general assembly set out BIR’s activities during her first 12 months in office. She said BIR had been guided by its ‘unwavering commitment to defending free and fair trade for our industry’.

To confirm the organisation’s stance on key issues, the world body has developed position papers on extended producer responsibility and chemical recycling, with others in the pipeline on trade barriers and critical raw materials. BIR has also boosted its advocacy efforts with additional policy officers to focus on the increasing tide of policies and legislation impacting the recycling industry’s material streams.

‘Reshape perception‘

As part of her focus on communications, Burrage introduced a new member magazine, ‘The Recyclist’, which was also available to the media, policy makers and the public. ‘Our intention is to reshape the perception of recycling, emphasising the vital role our industry plays in a sustainable world, modifying our language to reframe our products as raw materials from recycling and highlighting their critical role in the circular economy.’

Treasurer Dhawal Shah reported an ‘exceptional’ budget surplus of EUR 600 000, bettering the EUR 495 000 result for 2022. Shah said the current year would be one of investment, notably in a study of the environmental benefits of recycling, with a focus on greenhouse gas emission savings and resource preservation.

Membership committee chairman Fadi Shahrour told the assembly that 162 companies and national federations had joined BIR’s ranks during the year. The convention in Amsterdam in May 2023 had attracted an unprecedented 1 600-plus participants but, as Burrage pointed out, this record was already being beaten in Copenhagen.