IRuniverse editorial team participated in the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Autumn Convention, a leading global organization representing the recycling industry.
The Convention serves as a premier global platform for sharing market trends across the recycling sectors of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, and paper. It also provides a vital forum for international dialogue on policies, trade regulations, and environmental challenges. Through panel discussions, keynote addresses, and exhibitions featuring industry leaders and government officials from around the world, the event brings together recycling companies, traders, policymakers, and research institutions. Widely regarded as one of the most influential global forums, it plays a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the recycling industry.
The 2025 Autumn Convention was held at the five-star Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, located in the heart of Bangkok Thailand. The convention, held from October 27 to 28, was preceded by a welcome cocktail reception on October 26—the day before the official sessions commenced.
On the evening of 26 October, the day before the convention, BIR executives held an informal meeting attended by members of the IRuniverse editorial team. During the session, participants were briefed on the organization’s latest initiatives concerning future policy directions and environmental strategies.
BIR is currently in the final stage of its environmental impact assessment project, the Carbon Study, and plans to release an updated version by the end of the year. Conducted jointly with KPMG Global since 2016, the study provides a scientific analysis of the recycling industry’s contribution not only to CO₂ reduction, but also to land-use efficiency and the conservation of raw materials. Rather than presenting country-by-country comparisons, the report offers a truly global perspective and is expected to evolve into a software-based data platform in the near future.
In parallel, BIR is collaborating with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on the E-waste Monitor Project, which tracks global electronic waste flows. The initiative focuses on recycling key metals such as aluminum, copper, lead, and zinc, aiming to support supply chain development and policy formulation in emerging economies. By providing data-driven insights, BIR seeks to dispel misconceptions about raw material shortages and protectionist regulations, while promoting the free and transparent movement of recyclable materials worldwide.
BIR’s policy division has also strengthened its structure by welcoming new specialists in trade and environmental policy. The organization is now working closely with the Basel Convention and the OECD to reduce trade barriers related to textile recycling and plastic processing. In particular, BIR continues to advocate for enhanced international cooperation in response to tightening import and export restrictions in Asia and the growing trend of protectionist measures in the United States and Europe.
Negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty (INC) remain ongoing, with the final framework expected to be determined in the sessions ahead. Meanwhile, the global trade landscape is shifting from a cost-driven model toward partnerships built on trust and regional alignment. The intensifying U.S.–China rivalry now extends beyond economics into technology domains such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, signaling a geopolitical pivot from Europe and the Middle East toward Asia.
Securing access to rare earths and other critical minerals has become a cornerstone of national strategy; without these resources, technological competitiveness cannot be sustained. Consequently, the recycling industry is increasingly recognized as a sector essential not only for environmental protection but also for economic resilience and national security.
In response to the tariff policies implemented during the Trump administration, discussions on new taxation frameworks are advancing within the European Union. Looking ahead, BIR aims to continue demonstrating leadership in both trade facilitation and environmental policy advocacy, helping to shape evidence-based international frameworks that drive the circular economy forward. The global recycling rate is projected to increase from 15% to 25% in the coming years—marking not a temporary trend, but a fundamental structural transformation.
EV Transition Progresses in Bangkok with BYD’s Entry — Yet the City Remains Dominated by Gasoline Vehicles
In Bangkok, where China’s leading automaker BYD has recently expanded its presence, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has accelerated in recent years. Yet along the route from International Airport to the city center, the majority of cars and motorcycles remain gasoline-powered or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), underscoring that EVs have yet to enter the mainstream.
One major factor lies in Bangkok’s persistent traffic congestion. As in many other Southeast Asian capitals, drivers spend long hours idling in heavy traffic, often with their air conditioners running. For EV owners, prolonged idling accelerates battery depletion, and concerns remain widespread that “the battery could die in a traffic jam.”
The city’s automotive landscape is increasingly diverse, with dealerships representing major global manufacturers — Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu from Japan; Hyundai from South Korea; Mercedes-Benz from Germany; and BYD from China. However, the pace of EV adoption appears closely intertwined with the city’s infrastructure readiness and its traffic realities.
The BIR Autumn Convention once again underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing global recycling challenges and shaping future policy developments. Observations from Bangkok served as a timely reminder that, despite advances in electrification, gasoline and hybrid vehicles continue to dominate the city’s streets. To accelerate broader EV adoption, improvements in road infrastructure and public transportation—particularly those aimed at easing congestion—will be essential.
Against this backdrop, the convention reaffirmed the recycling industry’s pivotal role not only in advancing sustainability but also in strengthening economic security and resource resilience on a global scale.
Right: IRuniverse’s Tanamachi greeted Ms. Elisabeth Christ, Head of Communications and Public Relations at BIR.
(IRuniverse Midori Fushimi)
