PRESSRELEASE

FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brussels, 15 September 2008

BIRsymbolically contributes toreduction of CO2 emissions – 3,500 oak trees planted in Sonienforest

On theoccasion of its 60^thanniversary, the Bureau of International Recycling BIR, the worldfederation of recycling industries, sponsored the plantation of 3,500oak trees in the Sonien forest, a 4,420-hectar forest that stretchesalong the south-eastern part of Brussels, Belgium.

In thepresence of BIR President Dominique Maguin (FRA), the organisation’spast Treasurer Anthony P. Bird (GBR) and his successor Björn Grufman(SWE) as well as Director General Francis Veys, Brussels localauthorities unveiled a plate with the inscription:

“Oaktrees for the generations to come”

“Onthe occasion of its 60^thanniversary, the Bureau of International Recycling (www.bir.org)co-financed the plantation of 3500 oak trees in

thispart of the Sonien forest. In this way, it contributes to theprotection of our natural heritage and the creation of a carbon pit.”

Thissymbolic gesture reflects BIR’s mission to promote the hugecontribution that the recycling industry makes towards reducing CO2emissions. A study that BIR is currently carrying out reveals that551 million tonnes of fossil fuel emissions are being saved throughmaterial recycling, which represents 1.8 % of all fossil fuelemissions on the planet.

The study is the first of its kind andattempts anassessment of carbon savings due to the recycling of ferrous and nonferrous metals as well as paper. It is due to be published in thecourse of this month.