BIR open letter against EU export restrictions of recycled materials
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has today published an open letter to EU leadership addressing recent calls for restrictions on exports of recycled steel and aluminium from the European Union.
As the global federation representing over 30,000 recycling companies across 71 countries, we must highlight the risks that such protectionist measures would pose to both European and global sustainability efforts.
The recycling industry stands at the forefront of Europe's green transition, delivering substantial environmental benefits through the processing of millions of tonnes of materials annually.
Our letter emphasises several crucial points:
There is no shortage of material for European consumers of recycled steel and aluminium. Efforts to introduce export limits are aimed at artificially lowering the prices of the valuable materials domestically through unfair competition.
Export restrictions would create an unprecedented shock to the global recycling industry, affecting both European companies and their international partners.
Rather than artificial trade barriers, we propose constructive solutions including recycled content requirements, green public procurement, and environmental impactaccounting.
We remain committed to working with EU leadership to develop policies that strengthen both European and global recycling industries, fostering innovation and cooperation in the circular economy rather than creating trade barriers that could hamper global climate action.
