Ross BartleyEnvironmental & Technical DirectorBureau of International Recycling (BIR)

www.bir.orgbir@bir.org

What is BIR and Who are BIR members ?Created in 1948, registered as International non-profit making trade association under Belgian Law since 1971

40 National trade federations from the recycling sector

725 commercial companies from the recycling sector i.e.

collectors, processors, merchants and tradersconsumersmachine and equipment manufacturers

Other bodies and individuals with an interest in international recycling, ex: shipping lines, banks, insurers,

In 70 countries worldwide

BIR membership spread 2009BIR membership spread 2010BIR The gateway to the international recycling business

Sorting

E-waste stream in Developing Countries and Countries with Economies in Transition expected to exceed that in Developed Countries by 2016-2018 (Envtl Science Technology, Feb. 2010)Need a globally viable solutionEnvironmentally Sound Management (ESM) can provide significant global economic and environmental benefitsLegitimate refurbishment and reuse extends the useful life of valuable equipment and helps bridge the digital divideProper materials recovery addresses concerns over resource shortages, while also reducing the overall environmental footprint

Real concerns over illegal shipments and potential environmental and health impacts of informal sector operationsPACE development of Refurbishment and Recycling Guidelines can help set a global standard for ESMESM requires combination of high tech and low tech treatment optionsPromote globally responsible recycling practices through pilot projectsRegional hub approaches and investments with the aim of expanding local and regional capacity to provide ESMPACE Transboundary Movement Guidelines should recognise the need to facilitate the movement of e-waste to qualified ESM facilities

Environmentally Sound Management Criteria

Facility-specific Recommendations of which 6.2.1 Facilities should ensure measures are in place to demonstrate conformity with the following ESM criteria:Top Management Commitment to a Systematic Approach:Risk Assessment:Risk Prevention and Minimization:Legal Requirements:Awareness, Competency and Training:Record-keeping and Performance Measurement: Corrective Action: andTransparency and Verification.

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*This is a brief introduction to the Bureau of International Recycling, the world federation of recycling industries, whose headquarters are located in Brussels.

*The structure of the BIR membership is mixed: both national trade federations and individual companies can become members of BIR.

At present, more than 40 national federations are affiliated. They represent some 8.000 commercial firms worldwide. Their members are not automatically BIR members, but must subscribe separately. Over 700 companies are members of BIR, amongst which are collectors, processors, merchants and traders, consumers, machine and equipment manufacturers, as well as other bodies or individuals with an interest in international recycling.*This map reflects the membership spread in 2009 - countries with BIR members are indicated in yellow. It illustrates clearly that BIR is represented in the majority of industrialised countries, and emerging economies, throughout the world. Please use the following address to download the latest membership spread: BIR : http://www.bir.org/downloads/mapmonde.jpg