New BIR president claims „great optimism“

A long-standing and very active member of the organisation, Mr Bird was approved by the General Assembly for a first 2-year mandate, which can be extended once.
In his opening address, he thanked his predecessor Ranjit Baxi for his excellent work during the past 4 years and expressed his gratitude to be at the head of such an important international organisation. “BIR is long established as the sole truly international recycling federation,” he said. “I am honoured to be serving its more than 750 member companies and national recycling federations in the coming years.”

Mr Bird is Chief Operating Officer of Chiho Environmental Group which is headquartered in Hong Kong and one of the world’s largest metal recycling companies. Prior to his appointment, Mr Bird had been BIR Treasurer and member of the organisation’s Executive Committee for three years. He has held several long-term positions in BIR leadership, including interim President of the Ferrous Division and Chairman of the Internal Audit Committee. He served also as President of EFR, the European Ferrous Recovery and Recycling Federation.

With recycling representing “a major solution” to the problems of the environment, the recycling industry must strive to show the important role it is playing in safeguarding the future of the planet, said Mr. Bird. Expressing “great optimism” for BIR going forward, he insisted that the world organisation needs to “be the voice of the whole recycling industry” and also “listen to members and their needs”. He also underlined the importance of supporting the industry’s “stars of the future” so that they “are more active in our association”.

Andreas “Andy” Wahl, President of TAV Holdings Inc. (USA), has been appointed as interim BIR Treasurer following the election of previous Treasurer Tom Bird as the global federation’s World President. Mr Wahl will fill this position until the end of the Treasurer’s mandate in May 2020.