BIR Report

HONORS AND HISTORY IN MONTE CARLO

Historic high attendance of nearly 800 delegates was reached at the 2002 Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Spring Convention, held May 29-31 in Monte Carlo. The number of delegates—plus an additional 300 accompanying spouses and guests—created a total attendance that was the highest since the BIR was restructured in 1995.

The General Assembly session in Monte-Carlo witnessed the official launch of the organization’s new Web site, details of a new structure for the Environment Committee and the award of the first BIR Gold Medal in 14 years.

The Gold Medal and accompanying plaque were awarded posthumously to Ken Iverson, former Chairman and CEO of Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., for his "outstanding promotion of recycling" through the development of scrap-intensive, mini-mill technology. Via video, Nucor president Dan DiMicco acknowledged the "very special honor" conveyed by the BIR Gold Medal, as only five have been presented in the organization’s history.

BIR also announced Gold Pen awards for Albert Patin and Jean-Claude Platier of France’s Recyclage Recuperation magazine for their contributions to the promotion of recycling in trade journalism. Tribute was also paid to another hugely influential recycling journalist: Ian Cooper, BIR’s former public relations advisor who died in November 2001, as well as to Jan Levin, president of BIR from 1973 to 1977 and interim president in 1982 and 1983, who also died recently.

As well as general features available to all visitors, the redesigned BIR Web site contains "members only" information on topics such as export controls, processing plants and the latest legislative developments, according to BIR communications director Elisabeth Christ. The Web site also boasts a secure, online members directory, she noted.

Outgoing Environment Committee Chairman Patrick Neenan of the U.K. outlined proposals to change the committee’s name to the BIR International Environment Council (IEC) and to hand a more prominent role to the national associations, each of which will be asked to provide the IEC with a delegate/member.

Recently-appointed Chairman of the Membership Committee Robert Voss of the U.K. noted that membership had climbed by 40 to 524 over the last 12 months. An external agency will be hired to assist in the further marketing of the BIR, he said.

And Convention Committee Chairman Peter Mathews, also of the U.K., indicated that after Brussels, Oslo and Vienna some new venues under consideration for future BIR gatherings include Berlin, London, Geneva, Athens, St. Petersburg, Dubai, Bucharest and Chicago.