Interview with BIR President Susie Burrage: “The Market for Recycled Materials has Experienced Significant Development and Growth”

At the latest convention of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) in Amsterdam, Susie Burrage was elected as the 23rd President of the global federation. She succeeds Tom Bird, who had completed his four-year term in office. Susie Burrage has committed herself to recycling for many years. She is the fourth generation of her family […]

Water and Wastewater Technology Exports from Germany

As the elixir of life par excellence, the importance of water in our daily lives is undeniable. Therefore, clean water for everyone is one of the United Nations’ 17 sustainability goals. However, to achieve this goal state-of-the-art technology is indispensable. Thus, it is hardly surprising that the mechanical and plant engineering sector reports that innovative […]

Australia: Taskforce Intends to Restore Soft Plastics Recycling

After the collapse of the countrywide recycling scheme for soft plastic waste from any source suspended in November 2022, a task force is working on a solution. The Soft Plastics Taskforce, made up of major Australian supermarket retailers Aldi, Coles and Woolworths, has released a roadmap to restart, outlining the steps needed to launch a […]

Wealth in Waste: India’s Potential to Lead Circular Textile Sourcing

According to the Dutch organization Fashion for Good, the study “Wealth in Waste: India’s Potential to Bring Textile Waste Back into the Supply Chain” – released in July last year – is the most comprehensive analysis of the Indian textile waste landscape. “India is in a unique position to leverage existing infrastructure and resources to […]

Electric Arc Furnaces Market to Grow

According to Transparency Market Research Inc., the “Global Electric Arc Furnaces Market”, which stood at 800.0 million US-Dollar in 2022, is projected to reach 1.3 billion US-Dollar by 2031. The global industry is anticipated to expand at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.7 percent between 2023 and 2031. As stated by the USA-headquartered […]

Construction and Demolition Waste: EuRIC Launched new Branch

The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) has officially launched its construction and demolition branch. Aiming to represent European recyclers’ interests, the new division would evaluate and contribute to implementating the EU’s Green Deal and Industrial Strategy by promoting a circular economy approach, the umbrella organization for the recycling industries in Europe announced in May. Accounting […]

Circular Economy in the Construction Sector

In April this year, following a four-year break, BAU, one of the world’s leading trade fairs for architecture, materials and systems, was back. About 190,000 visitors informed themselves at the Messe München exhibition center about the innovations and trends of the 2,260 exhibitors (2019: 2,250) from 49 countries (2019: 45 countries). Halfway through the trade […]

BIR Convention in Amsterdam: Critical Raw Materials – Security of Supply Is a “Hot Topic”

At the meeting of the BIR International Environment Council, IEC Chairman Olivier François of the Galloo recycling company stated that a “huge quantity of metals” – including many designated as “critical” – would be required to meet energy transition objectives; as a result, security of supply had become a hot topic. Two guest speakers focused […]

How Circular Is Scandanavia’s Waste Recycling Industry?

Scandinavia – especially Norway, Sweden and Finland – made the headline in recycling. “Norway Leading the Way in Plastic Recycling”, “The Swedish Recycling Revolution” or “Finland Aims to Bid Farewell to Rubbish Dumps” showed that something is going on in the north. But are these records in Nordic waste handling sustainable? Are the investments in […]

New Zealand’s Te Rautaki Para / Waste Strategy

In March this year, the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment published a new waste strategy for the country. The document results from several initiatives including a consultation process, in which the New Zealanders could have their say on proposals to bring the country’s recycling systems up to standard. Furthermore, the strategy had been prepared […]