BIR adds its voice to EU scrap export opposition

The Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has published an open letter to leaders in the European Union expressing opposition to recent calls for restrictions on exports of recycled steel and aluminum from the EU.

The global recycling association joins the European Recycling Industries Confederation (EuRIC) in opposing recycled metal export restrictions.

In its opposition letter, EuRIC identifies Brussels-based steelmaking organization Eurofer and fellow trade group European Aluminium, also based in Brussels, which also represents metals producers, as having requested the restrictions last December in a letter sent to the European Commission.

“As the global federation representing over 30,000 recycling companies across 71 countries, we must highlight the risks that such protectionist measures would pose to both European and global sustainability efforts,” BIR says in its Jan. 15 statement.

“The recycling industry stands at the forefront of Europe's green transition, delivering substantial environmental benefits through the processing of millions of tons of materials annually.”

The BIR letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and four other officials emphasizes several points, including that “there is no shortage of material for European consumers of recycled steel and aluminum.”

According to BIR instead, efforts to introduce export limits are aimed at artificially lowering the prices of the valuable materials domestically through unfair competition.

Export restrictions would create “an unprecedented shock” to the global recycling industry, BIR adds, affecting both European companies and the companies overseas with which they trade.

“Rather than artificial trade barriers, we propose constructive solutions, including recycled content requirements, green public procurement and environmental impact accounting,” BIR says of any perceived concern that too much recyclable metal leaves the EU.

“We remain committed to working with EU leadership to develop policies that strengthen both European and global recycling industries, fostering innovation and cooperation in the circular economy rather than creating trade barriers that could hamper global climate action.”