UK Waste & Resources Action Programme WRAP Registers as Charity

The UK’s Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has officially registered as a charity following a successful application to the Charity Commission. Dr Liz Goodwin, CEO of WRAP, explained that while much of WRAP’s work has always been charitable in nature, registering as a charity cements this philosophy by giving the organisation more scope to explore new ways of working and develop new ideas. She added that it also opens up opportunities to access new sources of funding through foundations and trusts. “WRAP is valued for its role in bringing different groups together, to drive change, and I believe we are better able to play that role as a charity,” said Goodwin. In a separate statement Dr Goodwin went on to explain why it is an important step for the organisation. The statement can be read below: “Ever since the charity idea was first mooted as part of the long term strategy, I have been clear in how important a step I believe it could be for WRAP, and our work. For me, its importance can be set out in a few steps. Firstly, in order to maximise all that WRAP has to offer we need to be able to have the flexibility to explore new ways of working with a range of different partners. Charitable status opens new doors, new opportunities to do this. Secondly, to safeguard our future we need to be able to negotiate new paths to funding. This is vital because we can no longer rely on two or three sources of funding to sustain our work. I say this not as complaint, but a reality of the times. So being able to access funding from relevant trusts and foundations and from corporate responsibility schemes, is an important and logical step. Thirdly, I have had many positive remarks by our stakeholders about the application to the Charity Commission. I believe that many see our having charitable status as providing clarity – it makes sense. I admit our identity has been at times hard to quantify. We value very much our role and work with governments - and long may it continue. But we are not part of government, so becoming a registered charity marks a clear line in the sand. Part of WRAP’s USP is our ability to bring together different groups, to drive change. It’s what we have done and what will continue to do. Collaborations and partnerships are built on trust and transparency, and I believe we will be even better placed to do this as a charity. Finally, it is a logical step because it is important we recognise that what we are doing is already charitable in nature. After all, our vision is based on the foundations that we are trying to make the world a better place for future generations, by ensuring resources are used sustainably today. Gaining charitable status only cements what were already concrete objectives. So a landmark day, and one I am personally excited by, and one that is a firm step in the right direction. But our successful registration is just the start, we now need to continue doing what we do well, and adapt to new opportunities to make us even better. Only then can we truly maximise all that WRAP has to offer.” Read More WRAP Plan to Revolutionise Reuse & Recycling of Electricals Major organisations including recycling companies, manufacturers, retailers and universities planning to revolutionise the way we buy, use and dispose of electrical items through the Electrical and Electronic Sustainability Action Plan MP’s Report: Remanufacturing Could Boost UK Economy by at Least £5.6bn Remanufacturing could be worth at least £5.6billion per year to the UK economy, according to a new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group and the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group. Waste & Recycling Bodies United in Guidance to Political Parties in England Ahead of Election Some of the UK’s most influential representative trade bodies for the waste, resource and recycling industry have written to the main political parties in England summarising the key policy proposals that they would like to see implemented following the May 2015 general election. ‘Failure’ in England’s RDF Market as Defra Responds Following Call for Evidence Defra has published its response to the comments it received from its call for evidence in order to assess the impact of exporting Refuse Derived Fuel in which it said there had been a ‘market failure’.