WRAP funding cuts in 2011/12 will not affect key objectives

WRAP funding cuts in 2011/12 will not affect key objectives

On Dec. 20, 2010, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) in the U.K. confirmed that its funding will be cut in 2011/12. One of its four funders—the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)—will contribute £34.7 million instead of the £48.1 million it gave in 2010/11, which is a decrease of 28 percent. WRAP will also lose financial support from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF), which had contributed £2.1 million in 2010/11.

As reported in FoodProductionDaily.com, a WRAP spokesperson says the cuts were expected and admits that some projects could be scrapped. But the organization remains confident that it will have the necessary cash to deliver on its two main objectives: reducing waste to landfill (with a focus on biodegradable waste) and minimizing resource use in products and buildings.

WRAP is working on a new business plan aligned to its future budget, which reflects savings expected to be in excess of £7.5 million, in part due to achieving a number of targets early in the previous business plan.

Liz Goodwin, WRAP CEO, says, "We are pulling together an ambitious business plan for the next four years—we're confident it will be sufficiently resourced by our four key funders to deliver the necessary impacts to help the UK become more resource efficient."

A not-for-profit company, WRAP is supported by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Funding from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for 2011/12 hasn't be finalized yet, but it expects to continue to play an important role within these countries. It has been asked to lead on a number of major initiatives including some of the Sector Plans for Wales and delivering the Zero Waste Scotland program on behalf of the Scottish Government.