WRAP wins EU funding to scale up business resource efficiency work

The grant will increase WRAP’s capacity to work across four key markets – electrical and electronic products, clothing, furniture and construction products – and will enable the programme to deliver 10 REBM pilots with major organisations and 20 with SMEs in both the UK and the Netherlands.

The aim of the project is to achieve 15% resource savings in comparison with the business-as-usual approach. It is thought the work will not only contribute to government plans for waste prevention, but drive business growth within a more circular economy.

The overall project value is €3.1m over 3.5 years with €1.5m coming from the EU LIFE+ fund – the European Commission’s main funding strand to support environmental innovation and demonstration projects.

WRAP is currently seeking alternative funding avenues following significant budget cuts by Defra, which were announced last month under the Government’s Spending Review.

A statement from WRAP read: “EC funding scales up the work we have already planned for Defra and the Scottish and Welsh Governments. It will enable us to achieve greater impact with less government funding.”

Maxine Perella