The BMRA Conference 2025, hosted by the Young British Metal Recyclers (YBMR), took place on Wednesday 5 March at Huntingdon Racecourse.

The event was a success, more than tripling the number of delegates which had attended the inaugural YBMR Conference in October 2023.

With traditional YBMR criteria relaxed, this event gave a chance for anyone in BMRA membership to hear from industry experts, including representatives from the Environment Agency and the Department for Business and Trade, on some of the biggest issues metal recyclers are currently facing.

The event began with teas, coffees and an opportunity for delegates to network. YBMR co-chairs, Hayley Mellor and Mitchell Garner, welcomed attendees before introducing BMRA’s President, Susie Burrage OBE, to provide an opening address.

Susie recognising the talent in the room, spoke to the vital role young people play in the metals recycling industry.

BMRA’s Chief Executive Officer, James Kelly, presented the BMRA’s lobbying activity. In particular, James discussed the nuances of influencing the Labour Party, citing its affiliate structure where influencing think thanks, unions and backbench MPs can be just as important as getting in the room with the frontbench team. But James also spoke about the success BMRA has had across the past two years obtaining meetings with figures such as Jonathan Reynolds and Kerry McCarthy who now have senior positions in the Labour Government.

David Wilkinson, Policy Advisor – Steel and Aluminium at Department for Business and Trade, took delegates through the state of the UK steel sector and Government’s plan to improve its prospects. David focused on an overview of The steel strategy: the plan for steel which is seeking views from the metals sector to inform the development of Government’s steel strategy via a consultation which closes on 30 March, which it intends to publish in the spring.

Continuing the steel theme, Bureau of International Recycling’s Trade and Environment Policy Officer, Daniel Pietikäinen, took delegates through the ongoing ‘green steel’ debate which is currently raging on the international stage. Daniel made attendees aware whilst no universal definition of green steel exists today, recycled-steel Electric Arc Furnace production is the most mature and available production method for creating low-carbon steel.

The conference then pivoted towards waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), as Dr Helen Rockey, Senior Advisor (International Waste Shipments team) at the Environment Agency gave an update on WEEE 25. Helen outlined how the classification of WEEE has changed and subsequent implications for the export of WEEE items, such as fridge compressors and electric motors. More information is available to BMRA members on Helen’s presentation here.

The penultimate presentation was delivered by Antonia Grey, Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Fires Lead at the BMRA. Antonia discussed the suite of products BMRA has developed to help members prevent, prepare for and tackle fires on site. This included the BMRA’s Sector-Specific Fire Prevention Guidance which is being sent to BMRA members alongside their membership certificate.

BMRA’s Policy and Sustainability Manager, Cameron Leitch concluded the conference with an update on BMRA’s Net Zero Strategy and its progress to date. Cameron gave insight into the emission hotspots across the metals recycling value chain, highlighting the disproportionate contribution smelting operations have on the emission footprint of a metal recycler.

A huge thank you to YBMR co-chairs, Hayley Mellor and Mitchell Garner, as well as the YBMR Committee for curating the BMRA Conference. As we look towards next year’s conference, we would welcome any feedback attendees had, or for those who did not attend, what you would like to see at any future conference.