Bureau of International Recycling

What Bureau of International Recycling does

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is a Brussels-headquartered global federation (non-profit aisbl under Belgian law) founded in 1948 that represents the worldwide recycling industry through a membership-based model. It serves 950+ direct corporate members and 37 affiliated national associations spanning 70 countries, collectively representing more than 30,000 recycling companies engaged in ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paper, plastics, textiles, tyres/rubber, stainless steel/alloys, and electronics. BIR is led by President Susie Burrage and Director General Arnaud Brunet, with a small secretariat of 11-50 employees operating from 24 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Brussels. The organization's core offerings are organized into three product pillars: (1) market intelligence publications, including the 'World Mirror' series of quarterly and bimonthly commodity reports, the annual 'World Steel Recycling in Figures' statistical publication, 'The Recyclist' magazine, and the eBrief newsletter; (2) biannual World Recycling Conventions and Exhibitions bringing 1,500+ delegates from 70 countries together at venues such as the upcoming FYCMA Trade Fair and Congress Center of Malaga (25-27 October 2026); and (3) policy advocacy and member services, including the 'One Voice' manifesto (July 2026), the BIR Academy educational video series, the members-only portal at members.bir.org, the Global Recycling Day initiative, and engagement with the EU, UN, and national governments on trade and environmental regulation. The revenue model combines tiered annual membership dues (Ordinary and Gold tiers), convention registration fees with early-bird and group discounts, exhibition stand rentals (9m² and 12m² packages priced at EUR 6,250-10,250 for members), sponsorship packages, and publications sales, with publicly disclosed pricing available on the BIR website.

Name

Bureau of International Recycling

Legal name

Bureau of International Recycling (aisbl)

Website

https://bir.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Founded in 1948, the Bureau of International Recycling is a Brussels-based global federation representing over 30,000 recycling companies through 950+ direct members and 37 national associations across 70 countries, providing market intelligence publications, biannual conventions, and policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Federation / Trade Association Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Other Waste Collection (562119)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Scrap Collection, Brokerage & Trading (Dealers, Aggregators, Exporters) (EUAIAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply) (EUAIAKAA), Recycling Transfer & Consolidation (Single-Stream, Dual-Stream, Source-Separated) (EUAIABAC)

Keywords

• Global recycling federation
• Industry trade association
• Commodity market reporting
• Recycling industry advocacy
• World recycling conventions

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Convention Registration Fees: Registration fees for World Recycling Conventions with tiered pricing for members and non-members, early-bird discounts, and group discounts for additional delegates from Gold Member companies (20% discount)
2. Annual Membership Fees: Annual membership dues with tiered structure (Ordinary and Gold memberships) providing access to member-only content, directory, legislation updates, and reduced convention registration rates
3. Exhibition and Sponsorship: Revenue from exhibition stand rentals (9m² and 12m² packages) and sponsorship packages for conventions, with member and non-member pricing tiers
4. Publications Sales: Sales of published reports including World Steel Recycling in Figures and other industry statistics publications available to members and potentially non-members

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is the global federation for the recycling industry, offering membership-based services, market intelligence publications, advocacy before supranational bodies, and biannual World Recycling Conventions that bring together more than 1,500 delegates from 70 countries. Its core sellable offerings are tiered membership subscriptions (Ordinary and Gold), the World Mirror series of quarterly and bimonthly commodity reports, the annual World Steel Recycling in Figures statistical publication, and exhibition/sponsorship packages at its conventions.

Product overview

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is a global recycling industry federation operating as a membership-based organization rather than a commercial product company. Its core offerings comprise a comprehensive publications suite including the BIR World Mirror series (quarterly reports on Ferrous Metals, Stainless Steel & Special Alloys, Plastics, and Recovered Paper, plus bimonthly Non-Ferrous Metals reports and biannual Latin America coverage), the annual World Steel Recycling in Figures statistical publication, and the biannual World Recycling Conventions & Exhibitions. Supporting offerings include the BIR Academy educational video series, 'The Challenge' debate programme, the Global Recycling Day initiative, a membership directory, legislation resources, and the 'One Voice' manifesto policy framework. The federation divides its work across commodity divisions for Ferrous Metals, Non-Ferrous Metals, Paper, Textiles, Stainless Steel/Alloys, Plastics, Tyres/Rubber, and Electronics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BIR World Recycling Conventions & Exhibitions Biannual in-person events that bring together 1,500+ delegates from 70 countries for plenary meetings, committee sessions, exhibitions, and networking across ferrous, non-ferrous, paper, plastics, textiles, and electronics commodity sectors. Each edition is hosted in a major global city (e.g., Malaga 2026 at FYCMA Trade Fair and Congress Center).
• BIR Membership (Ordinary and Gold Tiers) Annual membership subscriptions for direct corporate members with tiered Ordinary and Gold levels, providing access to the membership directory, World Mirror publications, legislation updates, data files, and reduced convention registration fees. Includes benefits such as 20% discount on additional Gold Member delegate registrations.
• BIR World Mirror on Non-Ferrous Metals Bimonthly international market report covering non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminium, etc.) recycling, providing detailed regional reports, commodity-specific analyses, and price trend insights for BIR members.
• BIR World Mirror on Ferrous Metals Quarterly international market report on ferrous (steel) recycling providing global market data, trade flow statistics, and regional price analyses for BIR members.
• BIR World Mirror on Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Quarterly international market report covering stainless steel and special alloys recycling, providing detailed regional market analyses, price trends, and supply-demand insights for BIR members.
• BIR World Mirror on Plastics Quarterly international market report on plastics recycling covering global market dynamics, virgin polymer prices, regional trends, and regulatory impacts for BIR members.
• BIR World Mirror on Recovered Paper Quarterly report on recovered paper and cardboard recycling markets providing global supply-demand analysis and price trends for BIR members.
• World Steel Recycling in Figures Annual statistical publication providing comprehensive global steel recycling data, trade flow figures, and historical trends across key markets worldwide.
• BIR Academy ('More Knowledge Together' Video Series) Educational video series 'More Knowledge Together' providing members with instructional content on industry topics such as LME metal benchmarking and other recycling sector knowledge.
• BIR Convention Exhibition Stand & Sponsorship Packages Exhibition stand booking (9m² and 12m² full packages and custom space-only options) and sponsorship packages for BIR conventions, with tiered member and non-member pricing and equipment inclusions such as backwall screens, furniture, and power supply.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recycling materials supply up to 50% of global raw material needs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025BIR joined forces with UNITAR to develop the next issue of the Global E-Waste Monitor, partnering on the Electrics/Electronics/EV Batteries Committee initiative at the Bangkok 2025 Convention to advance global e-waste monitoring and reporting.
• Kuoni Tumlare CongresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial housing provider for BIR Malaga 2026 Convention, offering range of recommended hotels and managing hotel bookings for convention attendees with complimentary shuttle services to the venue.
• Global Recycling FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIR-affiliated foundation promoting Global Recycling Day, established to raise awareness of recycling's importance in preserving primary resources and securing the planet's future.
• Ellen MacArthur FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced in BIR Circular Textiles Leadership Talk content, providing data on global fashion industry environmental impact including 100-150 billion new garments annually and 8-10% of global GHG emissions.
• MRAI (Material Recycling Association of India)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBIR national association member collaborating on enhanced cooperation, with BIR President delivering keynote at MRAI Convention in Delhi and meeting with Members of Parliament on recycling industry support.
• ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBIR national association member representing US scrap recycling industry, cooperating with BIR leadership on industry advocacy and policy positions.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries): The primary US national trade association for the scrap recycling industry and a BIR national association member. Directly comparable as a federation serving recyclers, traders, and processors with advocacy, conventions, publications, and market intelligence.
• WEEE Forum: European association of 47 Producer Responsibility Organisations for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Comparable to BIR as a federation providing compliance support, advocacy, and industry representation in a specific recycling vertical (e-waste).
• Global Recycling Foundation: A BIR-affiliated non-profit foundation promoting Global Recycling Day and recycling education. Directly comparable as a federation-adjacent body amplifying public awareness of recycling, with shared branding and mission alignment.
• EuRIC (European Recycling Industries' Confederation): The Brussels-based European cross-sector federation representing recycling industries, including a metal trade and recycling branch. Highly comparable to BIR as a federating body coordinating policy advocacy, market data, and events across multiple recycling commodities.

Emerging players

• Resource Recycling: US-based media and events company covering recycling, composting, and waste industry trends. Comparable to BIR as a content-and-events provider to the recycling sector, though more commercially focused and US-centric.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: A leading circular economy charity partnering with BIR on textile and policy initiatives. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant shaping global policy and corporate commitments on circularity, materials, and recycling — a thematic peer rather than a direct federation competitor.

Regional players

• MRAI (Material Recycling Association of India): India's leading national recycling industry association, a BIR national association member. Comparable as a federation organising conventions (Delhi), policy advocacy (Members of Parliament engagement), and market intelligence for recyclers in a major regional market.

Broad incumbents

• International Copper Association: Global not-for-profit industry association for the copper value chain, with a focus on sustainable production including copper recycling. Comparable to BIR as a commodity-specific federation delivering market data, advocacy, and thought leadership to metals industry stakeholders.
• International Aluminium Institute: Global trade association for the primary aluminium industry, including recycled aluminium. Comparable to BIR as a commodity-focussed federation providing market statistics, sustainability advocacy, and industry events — overlapping with BIR's Non-Ferrous Metals division.

Others

• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme): The UN's global environmental authority, a counterpart to BIR's regulatory advocacy work on waste, circular economy, and trade. Comparable as an ecosystem participant shaping recycling policy, with which BIR coordinates through initiatives like Global Recycling Day partnerships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BIR_Recycling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bureau-of-international-recycling

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bureau of International Recycling