Dear BMRA Members and Supporters,

As we step into the new year, I would like to extend my best wishes to all of you for 2026. It will be one of celebration for the BMRA as we mark 25 years of being a united Association. 

The BMRA was formed in 2001 when the British Secondary Metals Association and the British Metals Federation (previously known as the British Scrap Federation) merged in order to better serve the needs of the British metals recycling industry with a united voice.

As part of our celebrations, we will be holding our AGM, Golf Day and Summer Dinner at the prestigious Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland on 25^th June.  Please note for non-golfers, the hotel offers a host of other activities, which can be independently booked and enjoyed while others are on the golf course.

Another important date for your new diary of 2026, is the Annual Dinner which will be held on Friday November 13th. Both events were very well-attended in 2025 and are always highly regarded events in the metals recycling calendar, so I advise you to book early. Do keep your eyes peeled for bulletins and social media posts with more information.

Sadly, 2025 was a challenging year commercially for many of our members and concluded with several, including large employer, Unimetals, entering into liquidation. Our hearts go out to those employees affected.

Rest assured, whether you are a metal recycler or an ATF specialist, BMRA is on hand to support you and your business every step of the way as we navigate what could be another difficult year.

On a more positive note, I would like to focus on the success we have seen as an Association. None of which would have been possible without the hard work and dedication shown by our Secretariat.

I want to thank the Team: James, Howard, Antonia, Kate, Cameron and Lyn for all their endeavours on our behalf and who, I’m sure you will agree, enable us to continue to, as we like to say, punch above our weight. 

With extensive knowledge and experience in our sector, they are on hand to advise and guide, while lobbying intensely on our behalf to improve conditions for our metal recycling businesses.

They will continue to fight on your behalf on a host of issues, including:
•          EA refocussing its efforts on metal recycling businesses
•          Export restrictions
•          Fires
•          More materials being deemed as hazardous and/or POPs wastes
•          Soaring electricity prices

The Environment Agency has begun a review of metals recycling facilities, and this will continue well into 2026. They will be examining all current permits to see if they remain fit-for-purpose, looking at water capture and treatment on site as well as more general abatement measures. Having heard their plans, we believe members may need our support more than ever during what will be a difficult time.

Last summer, Sheffield Hallam University, published a BMRA commissioned report, assessing the impact of potential restrictions on UK recycled metal exports. Its findings were subsequently quoted by Lord Andrew Sharpe OBE during the recent House of Lords Steel Industry Act debate. He told the House that “even modest constraints on exports would cause billions of pounds in lost economic value and tens of thousands of jobs to disappear.” He also added, “The environmental consequences would be equally perverse. Restricting exports would not increase the recycling of metal in Britain; it would reduce it, by undermining the financial viability of recyclers who depend on global competition to sustain fair prices.

He concluded by saying “Without access to international markets, the recycling industry cannot survive, let alone flourish and invest in the emerging technology that will make British steel greener and which, of course, is so necessary to the new electric arc furnaces.”

As I write, the Government has yet to publish its Steel Strategy. The Secretariat has been working behind the scenes to mitigate any negative impacts on the sector, and I know they will release and circulate a response once the Strategy has been published.

At the end of 2025, we issued our Landfill guidance for shredders operators - for those who process end-of-life vehicles, household appliances, and other metal wastes. It sets out the timeline for possible changes to the landfilling of shredder residues.

Members have also all been sent a copy of our much-anticipated sector-specific fire prevention plan guidance, which has been very well received both inside and outside the sector.

The BMRA team always strives to help members navigate the many challenges we all face as a sector. So, we have recently reconvened our Fire Prevention and our VAT Committees. If you would like to get involved with shaping the Association’s policy and crafting documents that will help the industry, please do get in touch with Antonia.

To help us to gather much needed data on fires, their severity and causes in the metal recycling sector, we will be publishing a simple form for completion on our website. It can be completed anonymously, so please report your fires to help us help you.

Remember, the BMRA team uses different channels to send you news and updates. Scrapbook - our printed magazine, FRAGments - our email newsletter, and regular email Bulletins. The team are always keen for you to get involved whether by sending in content or by way of sponsorship.

I would like to take a moment to express our gratitude to our sponsors in 2025 and into 2026. Thank you, Recycled Products Ltd for sponsoring the Photography Competition; City Metals Recycling for the Unusual Finds; JMC Recycling and Green Car Depollution for the Equipment Sales; International Metals and Cable Recycling for the job vacancies; Howden and Miro Logistics for supporting FRAGments; Howden, Liebherr and Kleenoil for your sponsorship of Scrapbook. Their support is invaluable.

In 2024 the President’s Charity was Guide Dogs. For a person living with sight loss, a guide dog can make a huge difference to their life, giving them back so much more than just independence. I am delighted we raised over £13,000, which enabled us to sponsor the training of and to name a puppy, Rusty. Look out for further updates on his progress.

In 2025 our chosen charity was The Stroke Association, the UK's leading charity dedicated to conquering strokes and providing support for everyone affected by them.

Its mission is to tackle the devastation of a stroke by funding research, campaigning for better care, and offering lifelong support to survivors and their families. I am delighted that we raised nearly £13,000 thanks once again to our members generosity.

We cannot predict what is to come in 2026, but as an industry we remain resilient and resolute, together we are stronger, and I thank all of our members for your unwavering support.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2026.

Keep recycling!
 
Susie Burrage OBE
BMRA President