BIR Bangkok 2025 Highlights Recycling Industry’s Strategic Role in a Changing Global Order

Photo Credit: Bureau of International Recycling (BIR)

According to the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), the global recycling sector stands “at a historic crossroads” as shifting geopolitics, sustainability goals, and technological innovation reshape world trade and industry priorities. The statement came during the opening session of the BIR World Recycling Convention in Bangkok, chaired by BIR President Susie Burrage OBE.

It is reported that keynote speaker Juan Verde, an international strategist who has advised former U.S. Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, emphasized that despite global uncertainty, the sustainability movement remains resilient. “Sustainability is not being phased out; it is being re-labelled,” Verde said, noting that recyclers are “in the right industry at the right time.”

According to Verde’s presentation, the global economy is undergoing a profound transformation driven by competition among superpowers, particularly between the United States and China. He explained that the rivalry is fueling a race for critical materials and prompting a shift toward regionalization and “friend-shoring,” as major economies seek to strengthen supply chain security. Verde added that this new wave of protectionism could ultimately benefit recyclers, as “it is going to force nations to invest unthinkable amounts of money to increase their recycling capacity.”

It is understood that Verde’s analysis also covered rapid advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technology — developments that are expected to reshape the demand for secondary materials. He suggested that these trends will significantly influence recycling operations in the coming decade, as industries seek sustainable sources for critical inputs.

Verde also downplayed concerns that political change could undermine green policies. Citing the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, he noted that sustainability investments are now widely supported by both political parties and are being driven by private-sector interests in resilience, national security, and competitiveness. According to data he presented, the market for recycling critical minerals is projected to grow by around 15% annually through 2033, while global investment in recycling and circular economy initiatives reached US$160 billion between 2019 and 2024, marking a 40% increase over five years.

According to BIR, Verde’s remarks were followed by an open discussion among delegates. Former BIR President Tom Bird commented that the rush toward net-zero emissions was “bankrupting people” in parts of Europe, to which Verde agreed, stressing that overregulation must be balanced by private-sector enthusiasm to sustain economic vitality.

It is further reported that at the beginning of the session, President Susie Burrage expressed pride in hosting the convention in Bangkok, calling the Thai capital “extraordinary” and a fitting venue for global dialogue on recycling. She highlighted that open international trade remains essential for innovation and progress in the recycling industry.

Burrage also announced that BIR has achieved the largest membership in its 77-year history, with over 1,100 participants from 58 countries attending the Bangkok event. She confirmed that the next BIR World Recycling Convention will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, from June 1 to 3, 2026.

Analysts note that the recycling sector is entering a period of renewed growth, driven by sustainability policies, supply chain realignment, and resource security concerns. As governments and corporations intensify efforts to build circular economies, recycled materials are increasingly being recognized as strategic assets essential to both environmental and economic resilience.

Source: Bureau of International Recycling (BIR)

SUNSHINE Spotlight: As global trade and technology evolve, recyclers are emerging as key players in a more resilient, resource-secure, and sustainable world economy.