Metal recyclers face too much regulation for the sector to truly thrive, an industry figure has commented.
Michael Oppenheimer, the president of the British Metals Recycling Association, has criticised existing bureaucracy, Let's Recycle has reported.
Speaking at the trade body's annual dinner, Mr Oppenheimer identified European environmental legislation as a particular problem faced by smaller firms in the recycling sector.
He said: "Unless checked, this agenda will grow unheeded and regulation will follow, and I could see a time when freedom of trade outside the EU could be threatened where a secondary metal was designated as a scarce or strategic resource."
However, the industry leader praised the work of the UK's coalition government, saying it had presented a new way of working.
The outlook for metals may be volatile, he added. In an industry overview, Mr Oppenheimer said that manufacturers and recyclers were tenative about the prospects of the recovery being sustained.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the recycling industry includes; elevators – bucket elevators – valves
