BIR says COVID-19 having minimal recycling impact so far

The Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) says it has “collated some feedback” regarding the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the international recycling industry and has identified minimal impacts.

In a March 3 news alert to members, the association writes, “Although the situation remains fluid and under constant review, scrap trading operations appear to have been largely unaffected thus far by the spread of the coronavirus.”

The BIR says it contacted the presidents and chairs of its various commodity divisions and committees to collect the feedback.

On the nonferrous metals front, “Business with Asian markets slowed in February, but there has been no significant disruption to movements of material.” Adds the association, “On the plus side, some Chinese provinces are gradually reopening; however, migrant workers have not been able as yet to return to their previous posts because of provincial border controls.”

In North America, “There has been no observable impact on the availability of, and demand for, nonferrous scrap” along the border between the United States and Mexico, says BIR. “Shipments to Asia have not been affected,” adds the association. “As for metal coming from Asia, some minor delays have been experienced owing to shipping lines altering their sailing schedules in response to some port disruption claimed to be related to the coronavirus,” states the BIR.

However, some scrap-generating manufacturing operations on the U.S.-Mexico border “are starting to report a slowdown in their activities owing to a shortage of parts and components that would normally be sourced from China,” the BIR writes. “The extent to which this might affect scrap generation and demand has yet to be seen.”

Some sellers of ferrous scrap are understood to have encountered issues on the container availability side, and now there are more restrictions on bulk vessels with regard to 14-day health certificates before a ship can berth, the BIR reports.

“Business travel for meetings with suppliers and clients has been suspended in many instances,” writes the BIR, passing on news from its Plastics Committee. “Many trade shows and other events have already been canceled, and the situation will worsen if companies are forced to close their doors owing to infections,” the bureau adds.

The BIR’s tire recycling committee reports inland logistics in China “are still very much affected by the virus,” but “on a positive note, most previously stuck containers have benefitted from the waiving of demurrage and detention charges.”

The BIR says it will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will alert members to any information relevant to their operations.