WRAP launches public consultation on Welsh repair and reuse culture
Initiative seeks input from Welsh residents, businesses and organisations as Government aims to build on high-level of recycling
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has opened a public consultation on behalf of the Welsh Government, seeking input on a proposed roadmap to foster a "universal culture of repair and re-use" in Wales.
The consultation, which runs until October 20, 2024, invites Welsh residents, businesses, and organisations to provide feedback on a summary document outlining actions needed to shift away from the current "take-make-use-dispose" model prevalent in Wales and other developed economies.
Gathering this information forms part of the Welsh Government’s Beyond Recycling strategy, to fulfil the commitment to support 80 repair and reuse hubs in town centres around the country.
With an estimated 45 per cent of emissions stemming from linear economic models, the initiative aims to provide the foundation for developing infrastructure that reduces end-of-life disposal, to augment the high-level of municipal recycling in Wales. This approach recognises that while recycling is crucial, moving up the waste hierarchy to prioritise repair and re-use can contribute further environmental benefits.
The consultation also aims to identify specific actions needed across various sectors of Welsh society to embed repair and re-use practices into everyday life. To do this, WRAP notes, requires changes in business practice, public policy, and education, as well as at the level of individual action.
The process is designed to gather insights on potential barriers and opportunities in implementing a repair and re-use culture.
The consultation summary document paints a comprehensive picture of what a universal culture of repair and re-use might look like in Wales. At its core, this vision sees businesses adopting circular models, where repair and re-use are integral to their operations. It emphasises the need for increased public awareness about the environmental, social, and economic benefits of extending product lifespans.
With the document calling for widespread availability of repair and re-use services across Wales, the aim is to make these practices the default choice for householders, businesses, and the public sector. It suggests that to achieve this will require development of necessary skills and training programs. Analogous to proposals already in place in Europe, the document also advocates for establishing a "right to repair" for citizens, empowering consumers to extend the life of their possessions.
WRAP's research, commissioned by the Welsh Government, has translated the aspiration for a reuse economy into a practical roadmap
Central to the strategy is developing accountability mechanisms and creating a digital hub to support repair and reuse initiatives. Public engagement will also form a key pillar, with proposed awareness campaigns and consumer resources to highlight the benefits of extending product lifespans.
The roadmap emphasises public sector leadership, calling for Welsh authorities to engage with UK and European policymakers on supportive legislation. It also advocates embedding repair and reuse practices within educational institutions, using devolved powers to enable this.
Improving accessibility to repair and reuse services is another key focus, which is reflected in the plan to establish reuse and repair hubs in town centres.
By addressing these interconnected elements, the roadmap presents a comprehensive approach to transforming how Wales values and manages resources. It recognises that shifting to a repair and reuse culture requires coordinated effort across policy, education, business, and community engagement.
WRAP Wales is running an online seminar Towards a Universal Culture of Repair and Reuse in Wales 14:00-15:00 on Wednesday 31 July. 
