Resources

This guide will help you to identify what can be achieved, engage with stakeholders, set up frames of reference and an action plan. It includes examples and case studies of re-use from across the UK and a handy 'lessons' learnt' section.

The report, which has been developed with leading figures in the food supply chain, includes:

• The risks to the UK food system over the next 10 years if we don't embrace a business unusual approach to the way we manufacture, sell and consume food;
• The huge wealth of opportunities that developing a Flexible, Intelligent and Transparent (FIT) supply chain will open to the sector; and
• How a "business unusual" approach will enable the sector to respond flexibly to changes in demand and weather patterns, with a transparent supply chain that will limit food scares and scandals.

Working with the Welsh Government, WRAP Cymru is working to maximise the redistribution of surplus food during production and in the supply chain.

One of the key areas where surplus food can be redistributed to local organisations is from the back of retail stores. WRAP Cymru has partnered with a Sainsbury’s in Cardiff to undertake a back-of-store pilot project working with two local charities that can make use of the food surplus.

An agreement between the Scottish Government, Defra, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and its supermarket members.

There are a variety of local and national re-use organisations that are well established. In addition to delivering their own services, local authorities can work with existing organisations to promote and encourage re-use. WRAP has recently launched its Partnerships are key to success (PAKTS) initiative which comprises a suite of material including how-to guides and case studies highlighting the importance of re-use and partnership working.

Loan and hire activities come under the umbrella term of the "sharing economy", a term which encompasses the idea of sharing property, time, skills and other resources.

One of the main barriers to donation of items for re-use is a lack of knowledge about what services are available or a lack of facilities for donation. Local authorities can encourage donation by providing information about donation options and also be supporting the re-use organisations who will receive the donations.

The benefits of face-to-face exchanges when it comes to re-using household items.

There are multiple mechanisms available for the exchange and re-use of items. These include face to face exchange through events and online exchange via a number of websites. Local authorities can either deliver these services or support community groups and other external organisations in their delivery of the services.

It is essential to create a market demand for re-used items. There are a number of barriers which prevent consumers choosing re-used items. Local authorities can work to remove these barriers through their communications campaigns.

Online exchange systems provide a portal for the re-use of unwanted items through the internet. 

The following page lists items that are more commonly re-used.