The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year marked by strong organisational growth, enhanced international advocacy, and continued expansion of the global recycling industry.
Under the leadership of President Susie Burrage OBE, BIR’s membership reached nearly 1,100 organisations across 71 countries during 2025, reflecting the federation’s growing global influence. The organisation also recorded significant membership growth in Asia and the Middle East, while maintaining an impressive 86% retention rate, underlining strong member confidence in BIR’s initiatives and industry representation.
BIR also achieved record participation at its flagship World Recycling Conventions. The Valencia Convention attracted more than 2,000 attendees from 66 countries, setting a new attendance milestone for the federation. Meanwhile, BIR’s first-ever convention in Thailand, held in Bangkok, welcomed close to 1,200 delegates, further strengthening the organisation’s international presence.
Throughout 2025, BIR remained actively engaged in global policy discussions, representing the recycling industry at major international platforms including the United Nations, OECD, and European Union. The federation contributed industry expertise to key initiatives such as the Basel Convention COP-17, the UN PACE II Working Group, and negotiations surrounding the Global Plastics Treaty, reinforcing the critical role of recycling in climate action and resource management.
Financially, 2025 became one of the strongest years in BIR’s history. The organisation’s stable financial performance enabled the Executive Committee to maintain membership fees unchanged for 2026 while continuing to invest in technical services, staffing, research, and new member-focused initiatives.
BIR also expanded its communication and outreach activities during the year by publishing two editions of The Recyclist magazine and strengthening its digital engagement platforms. In addition, the organisation continued investing in industry studies designed to measure the environmental and economic contribution of recycling, helping support future advocacy efforts with reliable data.
Commenting on the report, BIR President Susie Burrage OBE said the organisation remains committed to supporting its members and strengthening the industry’s collective voice globally, particularly during challenging economic conditions.
BIR Director General Arnaud Brunet added that the federation’s record membership growth demonstrates the increasing importance of industry representation, market intelligence, and networking opportunities for recyclers worldwide.
The 2025 Annual Report will be officially presented during the upcoming BIR World Recycling Convention in Gothenburg, with printed copies to be distributed to member companies globally.
