ReMA leaders attended the Bureau of International Recycling’s (BIR) World Recycling Convention and Exposition in Copenhagen, Denmark in May. ReMA Chair Colin Kelly, Chair-Elect Andy Golding, President Robin Wiener, Senior Vice President Advocacy, Sustainability and Safety Cheryl Coleman and AVP International Trade and Global Affairs Adam Shaffer represented ReMA at the international convention. The semi-annual convention realized record attendance from professionals around the world.
“BIR has increasingly become a crucial opportunity for national and regional recycling association representatives from across the globe to coordinate on key public policy issues impacting the global recycled materials industry,” said Wiener. “In the last year, BIR – Home of BIR has added three new policy-oriented staff to its team. As BIR increases its focus on advocacy matters, ReMA continues to leverage this relationship and work with BIR Secretariat staff to ensure our issues are addressed.”
ReMA representatives were involved in many key aspects of BIR Copenhagen:
- Shaffer spoke on the development of strategies by the U.S. federal government to secure access to critical minerals and critical materials during BIR’s International Environment Council (IEC) panel.
- Past ReMA Chair John Sacco participated in the International Trade Council (ITC) panel, which focused on market access and the EU’s modifications to its waste shipment regulations. ReMA is coordinating the development of compliance resources with BIR, which can be provided to members based on the movement of recycled materials across borders and between various global regions.
- ReMA’s immediate past Chair Brian Henesey was appointed as chair of BIR’s Convention Committee, providing leadership as the organization plans its future meetings.
- ReMA’s Trade Committee Chair Josephita Harry also serves as chair of BIR’s Electrics, Electronics & EV Batteries Committee, and moderated an informative panel discussion on how to capture additional material for recycling, opportunities and challenges in the recycling of EV batteries, and the realities of Basel Compliance.
- ReMA representatives also participated in the World Council of Recycling Associations meeting where almost two dozen national associations focused on policy issues and potential coordination to address concerns. ReMA was formally introduced to the group of industry associations.
