Ross BartleyEnvironmental & Technical Director

Bureau 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 traders– consumers– machine 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 2010

BIR – The gateway to the international recycling business

Point of Sale

Processing

1st Life 2nd LifeFactory

Waste Incinerator

Landfill

SortingCollection

Recycling loop

Point of Sale

Processing

1st LifeFactory

Waste Incinerator

Landfill

SortingCollection

Recycling loop

2nd Life

• E-waste stream in Developing Countries and Countries with Economies in Transition expected to exceed that in Developed Countries by 2016-2018 (Envt’l Science Technology, Feb. 2010)– Need a globally viable solution

• Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) can provide significant global economic and environmental benefits– Legitimate refurbishment and reuse extends the useful life of

valuable equipment and helps bridge the digital divide– Proper 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 operations

• PACE development of Refurbishment and Recycling Guidelines can help set a global standard for ESM

• ESM requires combination of high tech and low tech treatment options

• Promote globally responsible recycling practices through pilot projects

• Regional “hub” approaches and investments with the aim of expanding local and regional capacity to provide ESM

• PACE 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:

I. Top Management Commitment to a Systematic Approach:II. Risk Assessment:III. Risk Prevention and Minimization:IV. Legal Requirements:V. Awareness, Competency and Training:VI. Record-keeping and Performance Measurement: VII. Corrective Action: andVIII. Transparency and Verification.

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