May Convention Preview

On March 18, 1948, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Hugo Nijkerk originated an idea that developed into an international association of the recycling industries. The Bureau International de la Recuperation (BIR) will return to its city of origination May 23 through 27, 1988, to celebrate its fortieth anniversary at the R.A.I. Congress Center. The convention is expected to attract more than 1,100 delegates and 500 spouses from the majority of the BIR's 50 member countries.

Jake J. Farber, Alpert & Alpert Iron & Metal, Inc., Los Angeles, California, who is completing his first year as BIR president, said that environmental concerns are the most important issue confronting the association; these concerns will head the agenda at the BIR executive council meeting in Amsterdam so that the organization can develop a program. The problems are severe, Farber said, and by getting input from industry representatives throughout the world, he believes the BIR can produce solid solutions and a working policy. Ongoing communications between the national associations and the BIR are critical to this process, he added.

Sidney Silver, Possehl, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, a vice-president and member of the BIR executive council, said that one way BIR can help its member nations deal with environmental problems is to serve as a clearinghouse. As "information central," the BIR can keep members apprised of what environmental problems are occurring in various countries, their impact on domestic recycling industries, and what the national associations are doing to protect those recycling industries-all topics to be addressed at the convention. "We may be limited in what action the BIR can take," Silver said, "but not in the collection and dissemination of information."

Barry Hunter, The Samuel G. Keywell Co., Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, has just been elected a vice-president and will attend his first executive council meeting in Amsterdam. Hunter, who has served as chairman of BIR's Stainless Steel and Special Alloys committee since its creation in 1981, also believes that environmental issues are critical to the BIR. "This is going to be a challenging meeting for the council and I feel fortunate to be a part of it," he said.

In other BIR activities, Austin Merrills, Ireland Alloys Limited, Hamilton, Scotland, has been appointed chairman of the newly structured Public Relations committee, according to Farber. The new committee membership will have only traders as official members, with one journalist as an observer. Farber said that all Commodity Division presidents will be attending the Public Relations committee meetings. He stressed the importance of the committee and the need for BIR to tell the world about recycling and the positive contributions of the scrap industry in improving environmental quality.

The Membership committee chairman, Michael C.E. Lion, Philipp & Lion Ltd., London, will announce a new membership program in Amsterdam. "This is an exciting new concept and represents a great deal of work on the part of the membership chairman," Farber said. "I'm sure it will be extremely well received by the members."

Farber also praised the BIR's new directory format, which makes it an easy-to-use, portable working reference for recyclers around the world. Farber pointed out that the benefits of the directory to members--to be listed and to receive a copy--are important reasons for companies to join the BIR.

More and more countries from the Far East have joined the BIR over the past several years, and this growth is expected to continue as the BIR's May 1990 convention in Singapore approaches, according to Farber. South America is the next target area for membership growth in the BIR, he added. Farber also said the BIR would continue to promote individual company memberships in countries that have member national associations as well as countries that have no national associations.

"We have become a truly global association," Farber said, "and the BIR provides the forum where recyclers from throughout the world can meet twice each year to discuss business, trade, and the issues of importance to their industry. The BIR is growing and will continue to grow in the future as recyclers worldwide become aware of the great benefits of affiliation."•

May Convention Preview