On 3 February, BMRA hosted a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons to launch its Roadmap to Net Zero, a document which sets out how the UK metals recycling industry can accelerate its journey towards the legally binding 2050 net zero target.

The event was opened by long-time BMRA supporter Ruth Jones MP for Newport West and Islwyn, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, who praised the sector’s longevity and commented that it will be exciting to see how far it can go. Susie Burrage OBE, President of the BMRA, then welcomed parliamentarians and set out the importance of recycling in helping to keep metals in use while reducing waste.

Next to speak was Mike Hogan, Chair of the Sustainability Committee, which was instrumental in helping BMRA’s Policy and Sustainability Manager, Cameron Leitch, to develop the Roadmap. Mike spoke about the metals recycling sector’s journey to net zero and its role in enabling the UK steel industry to meet its targets too.

BMRA CEO, James Kelly addressed the room to set out the Association’s five key asks of government within the Roadmap:

1. To ensure that metals recycling businesses are eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
2. To expand the uptake of biofuels by introducing a 10p per litre reduction in fuel duty for biofuels like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), with an annual review to ensure competitiveness.
3. To provide affordable financing, allowing operators to secure Government-backed low-interest rate loans for power and grid connection infrastructure upgrades.
4. To incorporate fee modulation – based on recyclability and recycled content criteria  –  into upcoming reforms of the Batteries, End-of-Life Vehicle, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations.
5. To adopt science-based standards, such as the Steel Climate Standard formulated by the Global Steel Climate Council, which do not penalise recycled content.

Finally, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, Toby Perkins MP, congratulated the BMRA and all those involved in producing the report. “I think it provides an important contribution into the wider national conversation about how the UK can meet its climate and environmental ambitions alongside its growth goals.

“This kind of sector-led analysis and insights like this are absolutely invaluable. Committees like mine depend on the data, experience, [as well as] the ideas and solutions from those who are on the front lines of the green transition. The Roadmap rightly recognises the progress that industry has already made, but it also sets out clearly the scale of the challenges ahead.”

He added that it will also help Government and Regulators understand where targeted interventions could unlock faster progress, be it action on the cost of electricity or access to the grid.

The event was attended by over 15 political stakeholders, including Select Committee Chairs, MPs, Peers, and key civil servants. BMRA Board members were also in attendance, along with BMRA’s Sustainability Committee members, who have played an integral role in the project.

A special thank you to Ruth Jones MP for sponsoring the reception.