World Council of Recycling Associations meets during 2017 BIR World Recycling Convention & Exhibition

Ranjit Baxi of U.K.-based J&H Sales International Recycling and president of the Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) said the organisation has planned the first Global Recycling Day  because “is an untold story.” The day, which is scheduled for 18 March, 2018, will give recyclers an opportunity to tell the public, governments and policymakers about the crucial role the recycling industry plays in “creating a clean and sustainable environment for us all and for future generations.”

Baxi chose the second meeting of the World Council of Recycling Associations, held at the BIR World Recycling Convention & Exhibition in Hong Kong, to announce that the inaugural Global Recycling Day which coincides with the 70th anniversary of BIR’s formation. The intention was to coordinate pro-recycling initiatives across perhaps 50 or more countries, he said.

“Recycling doesn’t begin and end in the USA or in Europe; its story needs to be told all around the world,” Baxi said. He urged all members and national associations not only to consider ways of promoting Global Recycling Day in their own countries but also to seek out partners to support the growth of what would be an annual celebration of the social, economic and environmental positives delivered by recycling.

Between now and next March, BIR will launch various initiatives and calls to action, as well as approach potential partners, to help build toward Global Recycling Day. Information on the latest developments will appear on the dedicated Global Recycling Day website, www.bir.org/conventionwebsite/globalrecyclingday/project-2.

A succession of high-ranking officials from member organisations of the World Council attended the meeting in Hong Kong and offered their thoughts on the Global Recycling Day initiative.

Brian Shine, chair-elect of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, hailed it as “a big step in promoting the industry’s image.”

Salam Sharif, president of the Bureau of Middle East Recycling and chairman of BIR’s Ambassadors Committee, welcomed the opportunity it would provide to send out a “loud and clear” message about the recycling industry’s environmental contribution. He suggested that recyclers around the world should sign off all their emails with a note underlining their personal commitment to the initiative, which Baxi said was an “excellent” promotional idea.

As part of its mission to promote research that generates hard data in support of the recycling industry’s contribution, the World Council of Recycling Associations will seek to commission separate studies on recycling’s economic and social benefits, Baxi said. The new body, which he again described as “the United Nations of Recycling,” also will approach the Chinese government for a dialogue to clarify the practical implications for recyclables trading of its National Sword import control initiative.