We promote waste prevention and support initiatives that increase reuse and recycling, conserving valuable resources and reducing the carbon footprint of the products we consume.
We are on the cusp of a shift from a linear economy, characterised by take, make and dispose systems, to a circular model of design, make, reuse. We aim to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. Promoting waste prevention and supporting initiatives that increase reuse and recycling is key to achieving these aims.
Doing so has a two-fold impact — conserving our planet’s valuable resources as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the products we consume.
Our solutions
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The Plastics Pact Network
Led by WRAP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Plastics Pact Network connects 19 countries and over 900 organisations to drive global change towards a circular economy for plastics. So far, Pacts have succeeded in keeping tens of billions of problematic plastic items out of the environment.
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The UK Plastics Pact
The UK Plastics Pact unites businesses, governments and NGOs to tackle plastic waste across the value chain. WRAP supports members to work together in a united mission to achieve a circular plastics economy – providing policy guidance, securing funding for reuse projects, and finding solutions for problem plastics and recycling challenges.
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A Global Treaty
A unified global approach is essential to transition toward a circular economy. WRAP advocates for a high-ambition, legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution to eliminate, reduce, and reuse plastics and to manage non-recyclables. WRAP supports binding provisions, including global definitions and criteria to restrict or phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics.
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Business of Recycling
New regulations require businesses to separate recyclable materials from general waste. Our free practical guides, resources and waste calculator can support businesses.
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Business guidance for reusable and refillable packaging
A practical guide for businesses to identify opportunities for transitioning to reusable and refillable packaging, reducing environmental impact by moving away from single-use plastics.
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Market development in Wales
Through supply chain trials, WRAP offered technical support to businesses throughout Wales to enable them to increase the use of recycled materials in products and components.
The progress we’re making
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Global Treaty to end plastic pollution
Discover how WRAP is working with partners to promote a legally binding international agreement that uses a comprehensive circular economy approach, prioritising elimination, minimisation and reuse.
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Recycle Week
Since 2004 Recycle Week has delivered the nation's largest recycling behaviour change campaign. Through an ambitious mix of film, social media, on street initiatives, influencers, radio and PR, Recycle Week has encouraged citizens to recycle, using the power of its one voice.
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Wales: leading the way to a circular economy
Discover how Wales has transformed its recycling systems and cemented itself as a circular economy leader.
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Resource Action Fund
An £18 million fund, provided by Defra to support resource efficiency projects, with the goal of diverting, reducing, and better managing waste. With impacts set to grow over time, the impact of the interventions has diverted over 180,871 tonnes of waste and is estimated to have avoided over 395,228 tonnes of CO2e emissions.
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Global Sustainable Plastic Packaging Programme
WRAP has delivered a multi-million-pound global programme working with partners to deliver change in plastic pollution hotspots across India, Chile, South Africa, Kenya, Mexico and Colombia.
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Recycling Tracker survey in the UK: Spring 2024
We’ve been tracking the attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of citizens in the UK for 20 years. These highlight the critical issues we must tackle in order to make real progress.
Key reports
Our reports, guidance, and research focus on eliminating unnecessary and problematic plastics, helping businesses make necessary changes as we build towards a world of Circular Living.
