According to WRAP – the Waste & Resources Action Programme – partnerships are “fundamental” to success in establishing more re-use. It claims that such partnerships help to increase recycling rates and reduce disposal costs for local authorities while maximising the value of recovered materials for small businesses and charities.
In 2012, the third sector benefited by an estimated £430 million through reuse and reuse organisations created 11,000 full time equivalent jobs, according to WRAP. The charity also estimates that UK households also benefitted by some £6 billion through reuse in 2012, including giving people access to more affordable products.
As a result, WRAP has produced a series of step-by-step guides on partnership working from ‘how to set up and run a reuse forum’ to ‘how to make reuse a strategic priority’. In addition, seven video case studies have been created to showcase successful examples of reuse partnerships. For instance, the Surrey Reuse 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 Reuse Group diverted 7,000 pieces of furniture for re-use which lead to a turnover of more than £300,000.
Workshops
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 reuse work, according to WRAP.
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 reuse 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.”
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 reuse. 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:
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