Graham Davy launches BMRA Agenda for Change

Sims Metal Management CEO Graham Davy outlined how metals recycling can help Government meet materials recycling and recovery targets at the launch of the British Metals Recycling Industry’s (BMRA) new initiative, ‘Agenda for Change.’

Sims Metal Management CEO Graham Davy outlined how metals recycling can help Government meet materials recycling and recovery targets

Mr Davy, who was recently elected BMRA Deputy President, explained how Government can maximise the potential of the metals recycling industry through better regulation and enforcement – including proposals on combating metal theft – improved planning provision, guidance and support on technologies needed to maximise recycling rates, and support on promoting international trade.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman of the House of Commons’ Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee Adrian Bailey MP said: “Metals recycling is a British industry success story which is helping to ensure waste metal and other material doesn’t end up in landfill. The launch of BMRA’s Agenda for Change is a valuable opportunity to take note of the important role metals recycling plays in protecting the environment and to hear how industry and Government can work together to ensure our key environmental objectives of reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions are met.”

Commenting on Agenda for Change, Graham Davy said: “The £5 billion UK metal recycling industry already leads the green agenda contributing significantly to reaching EU environmental recycling and recovery targets such as End of Life vehicles and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). With the right policy and legislative framework in place, the metals recycling industry can continue to lead the way in developing materials recycling and recovery.”

BMRA has set out four areas where industry and Government can work together to achieve public policy objectives around increasing recycling and working towards ‘zero waste’, creating a truly green economy, creating green jobs and reducing bureaucracy and administrative burden:

Better regulation and improved enforcement: Hundreds of unlicensed and un-permitted sites across the UK do untold damage to our environment and threaten the reputation and competitiveness of the compliant and regulated majority while also providing a market for stolen materials. To close down and prosecute illegal operators, a radical change of the regulatory structure and enforcement priorities of the police, Environment Agency, HMRC and local authorities is required.
Planning provision: The planning system must make provision for new recycling and recovery facilities, and avoid damaging existing ones, in order to maintain and further improve the UK’s metals recycling infrastructure
Maximising recycling rates: Metals recyclers are ready and willing to invest in the technologies needed to maximise recycling rates, recover energy from materials that cannot be recycled and to meet future targets. But in order to do it, clear and considered guidance and support is needed from Government on issues such as generating energy from waste (EfW).
Promoting international trade: According to the OECD, there were 1,718 incidences of export restrictions imposed on the worldwide minerals and metals sector in 2009. As a major global exporter of metals, these measures, which include export prohibitions, export quotas, licensing requirements and special duties or taxes, have a disproportionate effect on the UK economy. To minimise their effect, Government must continue to resist calls for UK and EU export restrictions, improve enforcement of existing Waste Shipment Regulations and extend the use of end-of-waste mechanisms already put in place for metals like steel, iron and aluminium.

Read the full BMRA ‘Agenda for Change’ document