Global
Recycling Body Climbs to New Heights
·
Under the leadership of Susie Burrage, BIR’s
membership reached nearly 1,100 organisations across 71 countries in 2025.
·
The organisation recorded particularly strong
expansion in:
o
Asia,
o
and the Middle East.
·
BIR achieved an 86% membership retention rate,
indicating strong satisfaction among members.
Record Attendance at Recycling Conventions
·
BIR’s World Recycling Conventions reached new
participation records:
o
the BIR World Recycling Convention Valencia 2025
attracted more than 2,000 participants from 66 countries,
o
while the BIR World Recycling Convention Bangkok
2025 drew nearly 1,200 delegates.
·
The Bangkok event marked BIR’s first convention in
Thailand and highlighted its growing global reach.
Expanded Role in Global Policy Discussions
·
BIR participated in major international policy
forums including:
o
the United Nations,
o
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD),
o
and the European Union.
·
The federation contributed to discussions at:
o
the Basel Convention COP-17,
o
the PACE II Working Group,
o
and negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty.
·
BIR said these efforts helped strengthen
recognition of recycling’s importance for:
o
climate action,
o
resource security,
o
and the circular economy.
Strong Financial Performance
·
BIR described 2025 as one of the most financially
successful years in its history.
·
The strong financial position enabled the
federation to:
o
freeze membership fees for 2026,
o
invest in new services,
o
expand technical expertise,
o
and strengthen staffing capacity.
Communication and Research Expansion
·
BIR increased its communications and outreach
efforts during the year:
o
publishing two editions of The Recyclist magazine,
o
and expanding its digital presence.
·
The organisation is also investing in research
studies to measure the recycling industry’s:
o
environmental contribution,
o
economic value,
o
and policy impact.
Leadership Statements
·
President Susie Burrage praised the recycling
industry’s resilience and reaffirmed BIR’s commitment to promoting recycling as
a key pillar of the circular economy.
·
Director General Arnaud Brunet said the record
membership growth shows recyclers increasingly rely on BIR for:
o
representation,
o
market intelligence,
o
and global networking opportunities.
·
The 2025 Annual Report will be distributed at the
upcoming BIR World Recycling Convention Gothenburg and mailed to member
companies.
[ABS News Service/12.05.2026]
BIR
is proud to announce the publication of its 2025 Annual Report, marking a year of
record achievements, strengthened advocacy and continued growth for the global recycling
industry.
Under
the presidency of Susie Burrage OBE, BIR’s membership encompassed nearly 1,100 organisations
across 71 countries in 2025, reflecting the federation’s growing influence and the
trust placed in its leadership. The year saw particularly strong growth in Asia
and the Middle East, with an 86% retention rate confirming members’ high satisfaction
levels with what BIR offers to their own organisations and to the recycling industry
as a whole.
2025
was also a milestone year for BIR’s World Recycling Conventions. The Valencia event
welcomed over 2,000 participants from 66 countries, setting a new attendance benchmark
for the organisation’s showcase international gatherings. The Bangkok Convention,
BIR’s first in Thailand, attracted nearly 1,200 delegates and underlined the federation’s
expanding global presence.
BIR
played a central role in international policy discussions last year, representing
the industry at the United Nations, the OECD and European Union. The organisation
contributed its unmatched expertise to the Basel Convention COP-17, the UN PACE
II Working Group and negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, ensuring recognition
at the highest levels for the essential role of recycling in climate action and
resource security.
From
the financial perspective, 2025 was one of the most successful years in BIR’s history,
enabling the Executive Committee to freeze membership fees for 2026 and to reinvest
in new services, technical expertise and staff capacity. This prudent stewardship
is ensuring that BIR remains financially strong and well-positioned to invest, innovate
and maintain its steep growth trajectory in support of the global recycling industry.
Also
in 2025, BIR continued to expand its communications initiatives, produced two editions
of The Recyclist membership magazine and strengthened
its digital footprint. BIR is also investing in studies to quantify the industry’s
environmental and economic contributions, thereby providing the robust data support
that is essential to the federation’s advocacy work.
“I
am very proud of what BIR achieved for its members in 2025, and I commend our industry
for its resilience and adaptability in these uncertain times,” says BIR President
Susie Burrage OBE.
“BIR
remains committed to advancing our members’ interests and strengthening our collective
voice globally as we promote recycling as an essential pillar of the circular economy.”
“Our
record membership growth in 2025 is a clear sign that recyclers worldwide are looking
to BIR for representation, market intelligence and invaluable networking opportunities,”
adds BIR Director General Arnaud Brunet. “We will keep building on this momentum
- expanding and strengthening our global community.”
The
2025 Annual Report will be available at the upcoming BIR World Recycling Convention
in Gothenburg, and each member company will receive a hard copy by mail.