Investment for Growth Report

The REalliance conference, Revaluing Resources, saw the launch of the WRAP/ REalliance report ‘Investment for Growth’ which is the most up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the third sector contribution to saving resources.  The report outlines the current value and future potential of the sector, finding that there are 700 active resource recovery organisations in England, who between them are saving 523,000 tonnes of CO2; diverting 248,000 tonnes of materials from landfill; and supporting 4,600 jobs with an additional 43,500 voluntary and training opportunities. Tim Adkin, CEO of REalliance, welcomed the report remarking, “These figures illustrate the immense value that all of the organisations in the sector add to the fight in reducing resource waste in the UK. It also shows the potential for increased activity and the direction to take to achieve an even bigger impact on the huge problem created by our over indulgence of resources.” He added “REalliance is in a unique position to lead, support and encourage the sector to take up the challenge through our joint capacity building programme with WRAP. Over the coming years REalliance will continue to build on the solid foundations of the sector to ensure we value all resources and move towards a zero waste society. The third sector will strive to be a leader in this vital campaign.” The Investment for Growth report also recommends that an externally-verified quality assurance scheme, covering financial health and operational capability, is implemented for third sector organisations to improve confidence amongst the local authorities and commercial operators who have not yet engaged with the sector, in order to encourage future working partnerships.

Download the report (link downloads from www.wrap.org.uk)