DETR names first Chair of sustainable waste management body

WRAP is the Government’s programme to promote sustainable waste management, jointly run by DETR and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and will be formally launched in November. The aim of the project is to secure a significant increase in recycling of wastes, and an expansion in the markets for secondary materials.

Cocker has been actively involved in advising the government on environment issues through the Advisory committee on Business and the Environment (ACBE) and is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. He was recently awarded a CBE for services to the water industry.

Cocker will be supported by two industry experts, Ray Georgeson MBE and David Dougherty, who are currently developing the programme.

“I am delighted to be able to announce such a strong team,” said Environment Minister Michael Meacher. “There will be significant government backing for this programme but its priorities must be driven by the needs of business and industry. I am confident that, with the expert support of David Dougherty and Ray Georgeson, Vic Cocker will deliver the commercial focus that WRAP needs to achieve a real step change in our attitudes to waste management.”