Partner up for re-use success; new WRAP materials show you how
New WRAP materials are available from today, aimed at encouraging more partnerships between local authorities, waste management companies and third sector organisations; helping them to reap the financial, social and environmental benefits of re-use.
WRAP’s work on initiating action plans has found that partnerships are fundamental to success in establishing more re-use.
To help others achieve the same, new case studies, including seven video case studies are now available to view and share, and show just what can be achieved through partnership working. For example: the Surrey Re-use Network diverted 660 tonnes of material to re-use, allowing 5,000 lower income families to gain access to free or more affordable goods; and, the Leeds Furniture Re-use Group diverted 7,000 pieces of furniture for re-use which lead to a turnover of more than £300,000.
Step-by-step guides on how to set up partnership working, from ‘how to set up and run a re-use forum’, to ‘how to make re-use a strategic priority’, and ‘how to establish a re-use baseline in your area’ are available to download. There are also guides to help those who would like to provide for re-use at Household Waste Recycling Centres and through bulky waste collections.
In addition to the case studies and ‘how-to’ guides, WRAP is hosting workshops to take attendees through the key elements to getting a partnership in place and up and running by bringing the ‘how-to’ guides to life. Taking place in the Midlands (March 17) and London (March 19), they also offer the opportunity to interact and learn from those who have made re-use work.
Linda Crichton, Head of Resource Management at WRAP said: “Keeping goods in use for longer is a critical part of delivering a circular economy. Not only does it reduce pressures on raw materials but has the potential to create new jobs and training opportunities. Successful partnerships are key to driving the re-use sector, but it does need a concerted effort by all involved. Done well and it will bring big benefits locally to councils, organisations, individuals and the economy.”
In 2012 the third sector benefited by an estimated £430 million through re-use and re-use organisations created 11,000 full time equivalent jobs. WRAP estimates that UK households also benefitted by some £6 billion through re-use in 2012, including giving people access to more affordable products*.
Richard Featherstone from the London Reuse Network said: “Establishing successful partnerships has its challenges but it is crucial to realising the benefits that can come from re-use. The WRAP guides and case-studies give direction and power-steering to the partnership process and gives inspiration from many different parts of the country where re-use is working today.”
Local authorities looking to increase recycling rates and reduce disposal, waste contractors looking to maximise the value of recovered materials and small businesses and charities operating in the sector can pull together, share expertise and achieve further success. To find out how, access the new materials and register for the workshops visit: www.wrap.org.uk/pakts.
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