Waste and resource management spending by the resources charity WRAP fell by more than £1 million during 2016/17, despite an overall increase in its income.
Over the financial year, expenditure on resource management work reduced from £11.8 million to £10.7 million, according to the charity’s annual report and accounts, recently published by the Charity Commission. WRAP’s income during 2016/17 of £27.2 million compares to £26.8 million the previous year.
The consistency programme could divert 8 million tonnes of food waste, the WRAP report notes
And, in contrast to the reduction in expenditure on resource management, WRAP’s income from central government rose to £15.6 million (2015/16: £14.8m), although devolved administrations monies reduced to £6.7m (2015/16: £9.2m).
Other sources of income grew too, reaching 14% of WRAP’s income. The charity is benefiting from the carrier bag charge with retailers giving it donations.
Wales
In its report, WRAP lays emphasis on its success in helping Wales become “the 3rd best recycling nation in the world”. And, it is pointed out that Wales’s recycling rate increased to 62% for the 12 months to the end of September 2016.
The number of WRAP staff working in Wales on Welsh matters jumped to 38 last year, up from 29 the previous year. A total of 143 people were based at WRAP’s head office in Banbury working “on programmes for all funders.”
Chief executive Marcus Gover, in his comments alongside the figures, said: “Since we were set up in 2000, WRAP has helped the UK to make a step change in recycling, especially in Wales.”
The number of people working in WRAP’s Welsh office has risen to 38
In the WRAP report, Russell Owens, head of the collaborative change programme at the Welsh Government, is quoted as saying: “We have been very impressed with the professionalism and hard work of the WRAP CCP team and very pleased in particular with the feedback from local authority colleagues.”
Cities and food waste
Dr Gover continued: “But there is still much to do. Working with governments to reap the benefits of better resource management remains a priority, and I have strengthened our teams to help achieve this. Working with cities will become increasingly important and our strategic partnerships with London, Belfast and most recently, Manchester, are critical to our mission.”
“Working with cities will become increasingly important”
Dr Marcus Gover
chief executive, WRAP
The chief executive also highlights that “achieving change in household food waste remains our biggest challenge. Having made good progress, our latest results show this is now plateauing.”
Looking ahead
In the “Looking ahead” section of the report, Wales is again prioritised. WRAP says that Excellent progress has been made … In the coming years, we will continue to work with Welsh Government and local authorities to drive the recycling rate even higher, delivering ambitious statutory targets.”
Action in England will include helping Ocado with work to get young people to recycle more and a focus on urban areas and consistency.
With regard to England, WRAP refers to its consistency programme, saying that the cumulative benefits over an eight year period could bring a seven percentage point increase in England’s recycling rate, with more than eight million tonnes of food waste diverted and about three million tonnes of other materials collected for recycling.
WEEE
The charity is also working on a project aimed at understanding how waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) flows across Europe. One of the aims is to provide best practice guidance to stakeholders on the re-use and recycling of electronics.
Salaries
Total salary and related costs for WRAP as a charity came in just below the £10 million mark at £9,999,000 (2015/16: £9,912,000).
Former WRAP chief executive Dr Liz Goodwin received a severance fee on stepping down from the post
In terms of director salaries, the accounts show that four directors earnt more than £130,000 in 2016/17 compared to two earning above this figure the previous year.
Former chief executive Dr Liz Goodwin, who stepped down in June 2016, received a £93,000 severance fee while Jonathan Lea, former chief financial officer who retired in January 2017, received a £41,000 severance fee.
Grants
Highest grants awarded saw £988,000 go to Fermanagh and Omagh district council while the highest grant in England saw £50,000 grants to three authorities, Cheshire East & West and Broxbourne and Waverley borough councils. Derwen Plant Company Ltd in South Wales received the largest private sector grant at £237,000.
Related links (as pdf)
WRAP report and accounts
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