As we welcome the New Year, I want to extend my warmest wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025 to all the members of the BMRA and their employees.
Reflecting on 2024, it was been an exceptionally busy year for our Association, and it appears 2025 will be no different. The UK metal recycling industry plays a crucial role in the global market, trading and processing over 11.5 million tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous metals every year. We are proud to be key contributors to the global circular economy, supplying recycled metals to manufacturers worldwide, enabling the creation of sustainable new products. This truly exemplifies a remarkable British success story.
Many of us are third or fourth generation metal recyclers, and being proud of our heritage, it is imperative that we secure continued support from Government and Regulators to ensure our industry’s longevity for further generations. We face numerous challenges including barriers to trade, global export restrictions, protectionist measures, missing trader fraud, changes to waste classifications leading to more materials being reclassified as hazardous and heightened fire risks from improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries. That’s why we will launch our An Agenda for Change outlining our key requests to the Government with the aim of simplifying business operations for those in our industry.
To help us succeed please may I request that you engage with your local MP and, where possible, invite them for a site visit to demonstrate the vital work that we do to protect the planet. Look out for communications about the BMRA toolkit that can help you to contact your MP, or feel free to chat with Antonia and Cameron from our Policy and Public Affairs team.
You may recall from previous Scrapbooks and BMRA communications that in 2025 the EA will initiate a permit review of metal recycling facilities, focusing on abatement. Howard, BMRA’s Technical Director, has indicated that it might be a challenging process. Please be assured that the BMRA Secretariat are here to support you throughout this journey. Further information will be shared as it is made available.
Following our hugely successful Annual Dinner in 2024, attended by nearly 600 people, I am grateful to our generous members who have helped to raise over £13,000, via our raffles and auctions, for our 2024 charity, Guide Dogs. This money will enable the BMRA to name a puppy and see it through its initial training. We will keep you updated on its progress.
During 2024, we launched two new key member benefits - the BMRA Sustainability Hub and the BMRA Academy.
The BMRA Sustainability Hub features the Carbon Calculator, which is the Hub’s flagship product, bespoke to metal recyclers and allows members to measure their scope 1 and 2 emissions. In addition to the calculator, the BMRA has also secured a series of partnership arrangements with leading climate and energy organisations, who have exclusive offerings for BMRA members to take advantage of.
The BMRA Academy is aimed at educating and equipping our members with the knowledge needed to excel in our industry via our bespoke training portal. Provided by service members of the Association, all training courses are assessed and validated by the BMRA Education and Training Committee and have appropriate accreditation.
For your new 2025 calendars, I have a few dates to share. On Wednesday 5 March the YBMR will be hosting a conference, which this year will be open to the entire membership. The agenda will include a regulatory update, green steel and training.
Friday 4 July we will head to Celtic Manor for our annual Golf Day. The Annual Dinner will take place on Friday 14 November.
In closing, I would like to thank all BMRA members and partners for your unwavering support. We look forward to welcoming you back as a member and continuing to represent the interests of British metal recyclers in 2025.
Susie Burrage OBE
BMRA President
