The work of the organisation is described as having made “an excellent start” although this description comes from WRAP itself rather than any independent auditor. Neverthless, it is true that WRAP has managed to put together an organisation, staffed with experts covering most aspects of recycling, within a relatively short timeframe. This has been achieved partly by the exciting and dynamic style adopted by chief executive Jennie Price and also the salaries on offer, which are a cut above those found within traditional recycling circles.
Capital grant
Yes, in its first year it has awarded a capital grant to facilitate a 127 million investment in domestic newsprint reprocessing capacity. However, this was not without some difficulties in the awards process and the grant sits in a holding account awaiting state aids clearance from the European Commission. WRAP accepts that this is not guaranteed but the organisation is very optimistic that it will be approved.
One achievement from WRAP has been the swift production of reports covering its main areas of operation, even though some close to the organisation consider that its timetable has been too swift and some of the reports could have been more thorough had more time been available. More than 21 research projects have been carried out or are underway.
Pictured left: The sun shone for the launch of WRAP's achievements report by its chief executive Jennie Price, seen here with IWM president Peter Ager at the Torbay exhibition last week.
Vic Cocker, the organisation’s chairman, is quoted by WRAP as speaking at the launch of the Achievements Report, although he did not actually appear to be at the event at Torbay last week. Last year he raised some hackles by suggesting that Aylesford Newsprint was putting undue pressure on WRAP to secure a grant. This year, he is reported by WRAP as saying that “we have built a practical, effective and capable organisation dedicated to bringing about a step change in recycling, and have already begun to make a real difference.” He chose not to refer to the newsprint reprocessing grant competition.
Popular
Moving on from its use of the word excellent, WRAP is more modest when it states it has “a lot more to do”. This future workload is recognised by the popular chief executive Jennie Price who has won praise from most quarters for her performance in the post over the past 18 months. Coming from outside the recycling and waste sector, she has rapidly become one of its leaders, which perhaps also signals that there is a shortage of figureheads in the “industry” whether this is seen as the private, community or public sectors.
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