MRAI conference:

BIR and India share their recycling visions

BIR’s leaders made prominent contributions to the annual conference of the Metal Recycling Association of India (MRAI), held last week in New Delhi. BIR President Ranjit Baxi and Director General Alexandre Delacoux were invited to add the international dimension by addressing this important gathering of around 800 business people involved in recycling.

In his keynote speech, Mr Baxi congratulated India over the International Monetary Fund’s latest forecast that, at 7.5%, it would have the world’s fastest-growing economy for the second consecutive year in 2016. “I also want to congratulate all of you recyclers of India for all your contributions in making this growth possible,” he added. “The next 10 years belong to India to lead the world and so let’s ensure that recycling takes centre stage as India marches on to lead the world economies.”

In this same context, Mr Baxi praised the vision for 2025 laid out by the MRAI and its President Sanjay Mehta, insisting: “BIR will always be standing alongside you in helping you to achieve your goals in promoting recycling across India.” With this campaign to drive greater recycling and with end-of-life vehicle and other regulations under consideration, India’s recycling rates will certainly increase, said Mr Baxi. And he added: “I can also see India growing to be an exporter of recyclables as well as an importer over the next 10 years.”

Mr Baxi went on to underline the vast quantities of carbon dioxide emissions saved through the recycling industry’s activities - a “major” contribution to climate protection that was “not fully recognised”. He continued: “In my role as your President for BIR, my personal goal is to promote a World Recycling Day so that awareness of recycling and our contributions towards a greener planet are recognised.” He urged more Indian companies to join with BIR on the world stage to further the organisation’s global work to reduce the legislative burden on recycling businesses, enhance employment, reduce carbon emissions, and promote free and fair trade of secondary raw materials.

During an awareness workshop involving key government officials and the trade, BIR Director General Alexandre Delacoux delivered a clear message: “BIR and its network of national member associations are at the forefront of the debates that will enable the development of sound recycling practices in every country.”

Supply of recycled materials satisfies more than 40% of global raw material needs, resulting not only in less use of natural resources but also considerably less energy consumption and a vastly smaller carbon footprint, Mr Delacoux pointed out. Free trade was a necessity, however, if those recyclables were to go where they were most needed or where they could be recycled most efficiently.

Both Mr Baxi and Mr Delacoux expressed their pleasure at the profound interest shown by conference delegates in BIR’s global role. “This is likely to result in increasing membership from the Indian sub-continent,” said the latter.