Help for your recycling business - Wrap

In the recycling industry it is often hardto find the right people who understandthe industry and its precise needs.This is where WRAP can helpWRAP can provide you with free, practicalassistance for your recycling business, rangingfrom business planning and market information,through to technical support, access to fundingfor equipment and much more.WRAP can help businesses involved in:sorting recyclables;reprocessing recyclates;composting/anaerobic digestion;manufacturing products with recycledcontent; andproducing packaging with recycled content.Helping your business to profitThere are many ways in which WRAP can helpyour business to profit.We provide tailored assistance for recyclingbusinesses. This ranges from a few days supportfrom our industry experts, to having an interimmanager on site implementing changes over afew months.Contents:Business planningFinding markets and increasing salesManagement supportFinding financeRaising financeAccess to grantsMarket informationIntellectual Property protectionAccessing equipmentSourcing feedstockImproving quality and processesQuality protocolsMaterials Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

“The consultant that worked with us helped witheverything from researching the market placeand finding new prospects, to developing ourmarketing materials and helping us to securenew business.”“I’d definitely recommend WRAP to othercompanies in our position. We wouldn’t have gotto the stage we are now without the support ofWRAP, there’s no question about that.”Mat Chapman - Compost ManagerMEC Recycling LtdBusiness planningA business plan is an essential tool for starting anddeveloping your business. WRAP can help you to developyour business plan, which in turn can lead to increasedprofits. For those in the early planning stages we canprovide a template, and for businesses that have alreadydeveloped a plan we can review initial drafts, offerguidance to strengthen the business offering and assessif there is any further help required.Finding markets and increasing salesIn a developing market, it is important to have the latestinformation and guidance on how to secure existing marketsand reach new markets. WRAP can help you by providingexperts to carry out market assessments, develop marketingand sales strategies and implementation plans and provideadvice on marketing communications.Management supportIf you need assistance on developing or improving yourmanagement structure and systems, WRAP can help. Wecan fund consultants to analyse and suggest improvementsto your business structure and assist with planning,implementing, maintaining and developing more robust,improved internal management systems - ensuring yourbusiness can cope with future growth and development.www.wrap.org.uk/recyclingindustry

“From our initial contact with WRAP andthrough the major capital projects, theassistance we received was both highlyprofessional and appropriate.”“This continued as we began to look for highervalue outlets for the products that we couldproduce with the new facility.”Graham Hobson - Financial DirectorR. Plevin & Sons LtdFinding financeIncreasing numbers of investors are considering theopportunities presented by the recycling industry. However,raising finance still presents a challenge for many companiesin this sector, which is where WRAP can help.Raising financeWe can:assess different types of finance available to you toenable you to decide which one best suits the needsof your business;assess how to meet the requirements of financeproviders; andintroduce you to potential investors.Access to grantsWhere WRAP has identified a strategic need in the recyclingindustry, capital grant competitions are occasionally run tohelp companies address it. Capital grants, however, are notavailable on a rolling basis, and can only be used as financialsupport towards the capital costs of a project i.e. plant,equipment and infrastructure etc.Contact us for more information on currently availablegrants and full details of the application process.www.wrap.org.uk/recyclingindustry

“I’d been aware of WRAP for some time, butthought they were a purely advisory organisation.It wasn’t until I attended an event locally and metwith one of their business advisers that I realisedhow broad a range of services they offered.”Howard Waghorn - Managing Directori-plas, a division of Lynwood Products LtdMarket Situation Report – September 2008Market Situation Report – Autumn 2007Realising the valueof recovered plasticsRealising the value of recovered glass:An updateMarket Situation Report – Spring 2009The Chinese markets for recoveredpaper and plasticsMarket Situation Report – April 2008Realising the value of organic wasteMarket Situation Report – Winter 2009/10Realising the value of recovered paper:An updateMarket informationWRAP produces a range of market information and analysisreports that can help guide your business strategy andinvestment decisions and provide vital information on currentmarket conditions. These include:market situation reports, which provide in-depthinformation on the latest economic trends anddevelopments facing the UK’s recycling industry;the fortnightly materials pricing report, which providesup-to-date prices for a wide range of recovered materialsand valuable market intelligence about the factorsdriving prices; andthe market knowledge portal, which provides access toa wealth of market data relating to the recycling industry.Intellectual Property protectionBusinesses that develop an innovative processing technologyor a new recycled product should protect their IntellectualProperty (IP). WRAP can help you to identify, understand,analyse and then protect your IP. There are several forms ofIP protection including patents and registered designs,trademarks and copyrights. Licensing your IP can help youto secure your market position.www.wrap.org.uk/recyclingindustry

“As a result of WRAP’s help, we could continuewith our growth plans at much reduced capitaloutlay. The funders also have the comfort ofknowing that the residual value of the assetsis guaranteed by WRAP.”Jonathan Short - Managing DirectorAWS Eco Plastics LtdAccessing equipmentIf you need support with site design and specifyingappropriate equipment, WRAP can help you byproviding on-site assistance.eQuipeQuip helps businesses secure financial assistance for newor second hand equipment and machinery by guaranteeingthe residual value of equipment as part of an operating lease.WRAP has set up a panel of banks and leasing companies(lessors) who will consider lending to the recycling sector.eQuip can help businesses involved in the following:the sorting, reprocessing or recycling of glass, plastics,wood, paper, aggregates, plasterboard or organicwaste materials;any collection technology or infrastructure that isspecifically designed to enhance the above; andthe manufacturing of products incorporating any of therecycled materials listed above.Leasing equipment is an additional line of credit forbusinesses, allowing payments to be spread over a fixedterm related to the life of the equipment. Payments arebased on the cost of the equipment less its guaranteedresidual value, reducing the cost of equipment to businesses.www.wrap.org.uk/recyclingindustry

“I think that any company looking to get involvedin the recycling industry would be missing agreat opportunity if they did not contact WRAP.They have a wealth of information and can offergood, sound advice from industry professionals.”Stewart Wellens - Managing DirectorTrojan Services LtdSourcing feedstockWRAP can provide assistance and funded consultancy to helpyou specify and identify new sources of feedstock appropriateto the processes and the location of your business. This willhelp you to improve the quality and value of your products.Improving quality and processesWRAP can help facilitate process development and therebyincrease the operational efficiency of your business. Improvingproduct quality will create a higher value output and makeyour business more profitable and sustainable. WRAP canhelp with issues such as improving operational techniques,process flow and certification to industry standards.www.wrap.org.uk/recyclingindustry

Our vision is a world without waste, where resourcesare used sustainably.We work with businesses and individuals to help themreap the benefits of reducing waste, develop sustainableproducts and use resources in an efficient way.Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000,WRAP is backed by government funding from England,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Waste & ResourcesAction ProgrammeThe Old Academy,21 Horse Fair,Banbury, OxonOX16 0AHTel: 01295 819900Fax: 01295 819911E-mail: info@wrap.org.ukHelpline freephone0808 100 2040www.wrap.org.uk/recyclingindustryPrinted on 80%recycled content paperWhen you have finished withthis report please recycle it.