BIR selects Amsterdam as 2023 convention site

The Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has selected Amsterdam as the site of its spring 2023 World Recycling Convention, according to a New Year’s message from BIR Director General Arnaud Brunet

“To honor the founding fathers of BIR, we have decided to go to Amsterdam, the birthplace of our world recycling federation, for our May Convention 2023,” Brunet says. The BIR lists May 21-24 as the dates and the Hotel Okura as the venue for the event.

In his message to the recycling federation’s members, Brunet writes, in part, “Despite the trying times, despite the pandemic still present after more than two years, despite a war in Europe, despite a complex economic situation, despite an energy crisis in some parts of the world and despite all the regulatory challenges and threats our industry is facing regarding ‘free and fair trade,’ BIR did well in 2022.”

As of Dec. 31, 2022, Brunet says BIR had 870 members including “a stunning number of 194 new members in 2022," adding, “Our finances have recovered from a difficult period of two years of pandemic.”

Looking ahead to 2023, Brunet says, “The general trend points towards more uncertainty and complexity. Many new regulations that are supposed to pave the way to decarbonization and circular economy are diverting from their goals and will have opposite results. The European Waste Shipment Regulation revision is just one of many examples of unbalanced regulations, as are the ones emerging in South Africa, Malaysia or the Middle East.”

In terms of replying to policies that could pinch the global recycling trade, Brunet says, “Since there is no strong advocacy without solid figures and data, together with our member associations we will strive to produce strong and meaningful studies and analyses. As an example, the positive contribution of our industry to decarbonization will be at the center of our efforts.”

Brunet also notes that at the May 2023 convention in Amsterdam, BIR will “be electing a new president and treasurer.” Current president Tom Bird was elected to that post at the 2019 BIR convention in Singapore, along with Andy Wahl, who was elected as treasurer.