Webwatch

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

António A. Martins (Author) FEUP; Teresa M. Mata (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy

Vol. 12 No. 5

Pages: 455-457

ISSN: 1618-954X

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

Scopus

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

CORDIS: Technological sciences

Other information

DOI: 10.1007/s10098-010-0318-0

Abstract (EN): The WRAP, Waste and Resources Action Programme, is a British non-profit private organization that supports and helps business and individuals in reducing the waste resulting from their activities. Its main vision is a world without waste where the resources are used in a sustainable way. WRAP was founded in 2000, and is supported mainly with the government funding from the United Kingdom and regional governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. WRAP activities are focused essentially in the United Kingdom. It works with a wide range of partners, including national or local authorities, business and non-profit organizations, and even individuals. The activities are mainly focussed in assisting the partners to achieve gains, either financial or an improved quality of life, by reducing the waste associated with their activities, developing sustainable products, and using resources the most efficient way possible. Some key areas were selected by WRAP to focus its activities and to ensure that they have the maximum of return, in particular economic. The main activity areas are: packaging, food waste, waste collection systems, and quality of materials. Based on these areas some qualitative goals were defined, and the progress toward them can be monitored through the website. The WRAP website was designed with several goals in mind. First, as an organization supported by national and local governments in the United Kingdom, a full description of its activities, internal structure, biographies of staff members, and reports of activities and verification/validation of management actions are available at the site. Besides that, the website’s main goal is to present the results of past and ongoing activities of WRAP with its various partners. Thus, it is possible to access directly from the main webpage, or using the main menu presented in the top of most website’s pages, sections that are aimed to particular interest groups, such as business, local governments, and individuals, among others. In each section there are sub sections with themes of interest to a particular stakeholder, including publications, training events, guidelines, and so forth. While most of the sections open in the main website, other sections aiming to individuals and dealing with specific problems open as independent sites. Besides the partners sections, from the main webpage one can access directly the publication and news sections, where articles and studies can be obtained for free. Furthermore, the site gives the opportunity, and even promotes that people or organizations put questions to challenge WRAP in its main areas of activity, either by mail or using a toll free telephone number. Also, accounts and updates of WRAP activities, using RSS feeds or regular e-mail briefings can be freely requested. The website fulfills all the referred goals in a graphical appealing way and navigation is easy through the menus presented in all webpages, or using the search facility. Although there is a clear focus on the issues affecting the United Kingdom, there is enough information and freely available materials at the site to justify a comprehensive exploration of the site by people from other countries as they may face the same problems.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific