BMRA applauds new move to rejuvenate secondary materials market

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has welcomed the recent publication of green paper by the government, outlining its industrial strategy. The press release issued by the metal recyclers association noted that the “Building on our Industrial Strategy” green paper is a move in the right direction. At the same time, BMRA also noted that much more could be done. Incidentally, the government through the release of the green paper, had renewed its commitment to reduce raw material demand and waste in energy and resource systems and boost secondary materials market.

The green paper presents a modern industrial strategy aimed to improve living standards and economic growth by increasing productivity and driving growth across the whole country. The public consultation period is open until 17^th April, 2017, during which citizens are other stakeholders encouraged to submit responses.

The green paper highlights the need for inventing and spreading new techniques for saving energy, new and more efficient means of energy generation and storage and new ways to finance clean technologies. It spotlights on the economic benefits that could be achieved by moving towards a low-carbon economy. Extending support to the government’s initiatives and proposals, BMRA stated that by promoting an economy where recycling plays a prominent role, the government will be able to achieve its objective.

While welcoming the government’s first step in reducing environmental impacts, BMRA noted that much more needs to be done. The environmental benefits of using scrap metal over ore concentrates are scientifically proven. For instance, the carbon emissions associated with production of one tonne of copper cathode is just almost one-third when compared with those when using copper ore concentrate. Other metals including iron and aluminum have also proved to generate similar carbon savings. BMRA proposes that government-led procurement process should provide a model by promoting the use of secondary raw materials over primary-produced counterparts. The transition to low-carbon economy must be done in a way which minimizes the cost to business and domestic customers.

In addition, the government should work with entire supply chain in encouraging actions that could lead to increased openness with regards to declaring levels of recycled content in materials, wherever possible to do so. The recycling association also extended its full-hearted support to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in shaping a strategy that supports entire UK businesses across the recycling supply chain. It also called for mechanisms to promote the use of locally-produced materials rich in recycled content, by employing innovative technologies. By promoting the use of recycled content, the country would be able to secure valuable resources for future generations, BMRA noted.

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) is the trade association representing the £5.6 billion UK metal recycling sector. It represents over 250 organizations working across UK’s £5 billion metal recycling sector. The wider metals recycling industry comprises an estimated 2,500 businesses and employs some 10,000 people.