About WRAP
You are here: Home / About WRAP / Our impact /

Creating a world of difference

Through our integrated approach to promoting waste prevention, recycling and the use of recycled materials, WRAP plays a unique role in supporting the efficient use of natural resources in the UK.

  • The Resource Efficiency Loop

    Creating a virtuous circle

    The Resource Efficiency Loop

    OUR VISION IS TO MAKE A VIRTUOUS CIRCLE OF THE RESOURCE EFFICIENCY LOOP; TO KEEP THE AMOUNT OF WASTE WE PRODUCE TO A MINIMUM, AND TO REUSE OR RECYCLE UNAVOIDABLE WASTE INTO VALUABLE PRODUCTS FOR WHICH THERE IS A STRONG DEMAND.  THIS IN TURN WILL REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON NATURAL RESOURCES.

    Working efficiently, this model not only reduces waste and our need to use virgin materials, but also brings real benefits to our economy and reduces our carbon footprint, helping us contribute towards combating global climate change.

  • Waste prevention

    Avoiding and improving

    One of our impacts in the area of waste prevention - growth in grocery packaging halted.

    REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF WASTE WE PRODUCE UNNECESSARILY IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE THING WE CAN DO - WHETHER AT HOME OR AT WORK - TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.

    In our 2006-08 Business Plan we set specific targets designed to tackle some of the most significant elements of the waste stream - packaging, food waste, and waste generated by construction projects.

    Find out more.

  • Collecting and sorting

    Increasing and improving

    One of our impacts in the area of waste prevention - 64% committed recyclers in England.

    HELPING PEOPLE RECYCLE AS MUCH OF THEIR WASTE AS POSSIBLE IS KEY TO REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF RUBBISH CURERNTLY BEING SENT TO LANDFILL, AND REDUCING THE NEED TO EXTRACT VIRGIN MATERIALS.

    Just twenty years ago recycling was seen as a minority activity undertaken by those who wanted to do their bit for the environment.  The task since that time has been to make recycling mainstream - to raise awareness, to educate and engage, and to make recycling a way of life.

    Find out more.

  • Recycling and reprocessing

    Investment and efficiency

    One of our impacts in the area of waste prevention - 10% growth in recycling and reprocessing sector.

    FOR THE RESOURCE EFFICIENCY LOOP TO WORK SMOOTHLY THERE MUST BE SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN THE UK RECYCLING AND REPROCESSING SECTOR TO CREATE DEMAND FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIAL.

    When WRAP was set up in 2001, the sector was under-developed and struggled to attract investment.  WRAP therefore identified, early on, the need to support the growth of this sector.

    Find out more.

  • Market development

    Promoting markets

    One of our impacts in the area of waste prevention - £11.6 billion worth of construction projects set requirements for waste minimisation, recycling and recycled content.

    RECYCLING MATERIAL THROUGH EFFICIENT PROCESSES, WHICH THEN CREATE HIGH-VALUE PRODUCTS, IS ONLY POSSIBLE IF THERE ARE MARKETS FOR THESE PRODUCTS.

    With this in mind, WRAP has focussed on finding and developing markets for recycled material and actively promoting its use.

    Find out more.