“Recycling through the ages” takes thereader on a fascinating journey through 9000 years of recycling history, startingin around 7000 BC with the collection and recycling of copper in the Middle East and the Mediterranean area. Later came therecycling of iron and other metals, as well as glass and textiles, at aroundthe start of our own era.

The publicationalso tells the story of the invention of book printing in the 15^thcentury, with the ensuing recycling of type metal and paper stock. Itsubsequently deals with the rapid growth of recycling following the industrialrevolution of the 19^th century before describing the mechanisation ofthe recycling business in the 20^th and 21^st centuries.

The colourful52-page booklet, comprising 35 illustrations, was written on behalf of BIR byAlfred Nijkerk who has dedicated his working life to the metal trading andprocessing business. Also, for nearly 50 years, he has been publishing booksand magazines focusing on recycling.

The second publicationis a celebration of the first 60 years of BIR. Entitled “Once upon a time: The story of BIR 1948- 2008”, it begins with the prouddeclaration that “BIR created a unitedrecycling world”. It is no surprise that BIR asked Fred Nijkerk, the onlyliving person who was present at the organisation’s birth in 1948 and who wenton to attend 100 BIR conventions, to write this affectionate backward glance atthe early days and the subsequent development of the world recycling body. The 22-pagebooklet is in full colour and features 26 pictures.

Bothbooklets, which boast a strikingly modern and artistic lay-out, are on sale for€ 10 apiece(plus postage) and represent an idealbusiness gift.

The bookoutlining 9000 years of recycling history will be warmly appreciated by fellowrecyclers, manufacturing industry customers and also, undoubtedly, by civilservants engaged in recycling and environmental matters, schools anduniversities, action groups and other organisations that want to understandmore about the development of recycling and its growing contribution to our sharedenvironment. Meanwhile, the book documenting the history of BIR serves as apowerful illustration of the recycling industry’s ability not only to organiseitself on a global scale but also to adapt to fresh challenges in anever-changing world.