THE WASTE AND RESOURCES ACTION PROGRAMME

Their core work

WRAP is a UK-based non-profit organization focused on resource efficiency, waste reduction, and circular economy practices across supply chains. They specialize in translating research into practical frameworks for reducing food waste and valorising waste streams, working at the intersection of industry, government, and consumers. Their strength lies in bridging policy with practice — helping businesses and public bodies implement measurable waste reduction strategies backed by consumer science and socio-economic evidence.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

WRAP's early H2020 involvement (2015) spanned both secondary raw materials (ProSUM) and food waste systems (REFRESH), suggesting a broad waste-management mandate. By 2018, their participation in CRESTING signals a shift toward circular economy as a unifying framework, moving from specific waste streams to systemic sustainability thinking. The progression from operational waste topics to circular economy policy and training (CRESTING was an MSCA training network) suggests WRAP is evolving from practitioner to knowledge leader.

WRAP is moving from hands-on waste reduction toward shaping circular economy policy and training the next generation of researchers, making them increasingly valuable as a knowledge partner rather than just an implementation body.

How they like to work

WRAP exclusively participates as a partner or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for NGOs that contribute domain expertise rather than driving research agendas. With 93 unique consortium partners across 29 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in very large consortia, indicating comfort with complex multi-country collaborations. Their role as a non-academic practitioner organization makes them a valuable "real-world anchor" in research-heavy consortia.

Despite only 3 projects, WRAP has built connections with 93 partners across 29 countries — an exceptionally broad network driven by participation in large-scale coordination and training projects. Their reach is genuinely pan-European with no obvious geographic bias.

What sets them apart

WRAP occupies a rare niche as an established, non-academic organization with deep operational experience in waste reduction that also engages in EU research. Unlike universities or research institutes, they bring practitioner credibility and direct connections to industry and government policy. For consortium builders, WRAP offers the "impact pathway" that reviewers look for — a partner who can demonstrate how research results translate into real-world adoption.

Highlights from their portfolio

• REFRESH
  Their largest project (EUR 1M) tackling the full food supply chain with an unusually rich mix of consumer science, economic modelling, and environmental impact assessment.
• CRESTING
  An MSCA training network on circular economy — notable because WRAP participated as a third-party practice partner, training doctoral researchers in real-world waste and resource management.