Waste & Resources Action Programme

Waste & Resources Action Programme logo

Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is a registered charity in the United Kingdom, founded in 2000. Its mission is to promote sustainable waste management and the efficient use of resources across the UK. WRAP works with businesses, individuals, and communities to help them reduce waste, recycle more, and use resources in a more efficient manner. The organization plays a crucial role in the development of circular economy strategies, aiming to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life.

Overview

WRAP was established as part of the UK government's strategy to reduce waste and improve recycling rates across the country. It operates across a range of sectors including food and drink, plastics, textiles, and electronics, providing research, expertise, and support to enable more sustainable practices. One of its most notable campaigns is the Love Food Hate Waste initiative, which aims to reduce food waste by educating consumers on how to shop, cook, and store food more efficiently.

Key Initiatives

• Love Food Hate Waste: A campaign designed to raise awareness about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste and to encourage actions to reduce it.
• The Courtauld Commitment: A voluntary agreement aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing waste within the UK grocery sector.
• The Plastics Pact: A unique initiative that brings together businesses from across the plastics value chain with UK governments and NGOs to tackle the issue of plastic waste.

Achievements

WRAP has been instrumental in driving significant improvements in waste management and recycling rates in the UK. Through its various initiatives, it has helped to divert millions of tonnes of waste from landfill, reduce carbon emissions, and conserve valuable resources. The organization's work in promoting the circular economy has also influenced policy and practice beyond the UK, contributing to global efforts to address waste and resource efficiency.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its successes, WRAP faces ongoing challenges, including changing consumer behaviors, the complexity of recycling systems, and the need for greater collaboration across industries and governments. Looking forward, WRAP aims to continue its work on reducing food waste, tackling plastic pollution, and promoting sustainable textiles, among other areas. The organization is also focused on enhancing international collaboration to address global waste and resource challenges.

See Also

• Circular economy
• Sustainable waste management
• Recycling
• Environmental conservation
• Resource efficiency