Funding for Research

The Retail Innovation Programme is supported by a Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund which represents an opportunity for the retail sector to access support to help kick-start new thinking in packaging design.

The Innovation Fund was launched in November 2004 and supports the retail supply chain in research and development (R&D) projects that will reduce food and packaging waste, going beyond what is currently best practice.  Research has shown that as much as 50% of household waste, which ultimately ends up in landfill, has come from a purchase from the top five retail supermarket chains.  Reducing packaging and food waste at source is an important step forward, both financially and environmentally, compared to collecting and disposing of it once it has become a waste.

The R&D projects can cover:

• packaging design;
• prototyping; and
• piloting

of innovative products, packaging, materials and systems that reduce packaging and food waste.  The Fund is there to help develop new ideas rapidly and stimulate innovation and the take-up of innovation that might not otherwise be driven by the commercial marketplace because of a variety of factors, including risk.

WRAP part-funds these projects across the whole supply chain – from small packaging design companies to major supermarkets.  To date, the majority of funding has gone to smaller organisations.  Project partners include research institutes, universities, design agencies, packaging manufactures, environmental and design consultants as well as retailers and brands.  The product research is often trialled in store, so a major brand and/or retailer is usually included in any proposal as a project partner.

As well as achieving the primary aim of packaging optimisation, these projects could also help to reduce production, storage and transportation costs and lead to more efficient use of in-store shelf space, as well as improving Corporate Social Responsibility - specifically reducing carbon emissions. 

Funding innovative research and ensuring this work is widely shared and adopted across the UK grocery sector is one way of delivering our targets under the Courtauld Commitment.

Projects

There have been over 30 proposals recommended for approval to date - click here for a description of the type of R&D projects that WRAP is supporting.  We are also continually rolling out Case Studies & Research reports about our projects.

Have an enquiry about the Innovation Fund?

There have been six Innovation Fund Rounds to date and WRAP is actively engaging across the retail sector from suppliers to associates to identify future opportunities for support.

To discuss project ideas with the Retail team, please email enquiries to retail@wrap.org.uk or telephone 01295 819686.

To keep informed about latest research funding or when the next round of funding is released then please send your contact details through to retail@wrap.org.uk.

• Sign up for E-newsletter
• Contact WRAP