This document discusses the benefits of a circular economy in Wales. It notes that resource efficiency can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the UK at no cost to the economy. The circular economy also requires more labor than other industrial transitions, which could help reduce unemployment, especially in regions with higher unemployment. Case studies show opportunities in reducing food waste, increasing reuse of household items, and developing reprocessing infrastructure in convergence areas of Wales. Overall, the circular economy addresses the root causes of climate change while boosting employment.

1. The Circular
Economy:
Benefits in
Wales
Keith James
WRAP

2. Meeting the UK Climate Change Challenge
Resource Efficiency can make
an immediate impact on UK
GHG reductions at no net
cost to the economy;
“Quick wins” could contribute
10% of the required
reduction between carbon
budgets 2 and 3 with
further savings abroad;
75% of the energy savings
from resource efficiency
would fall outside of EU
ETS.

3. Employment and the Circular Economy
The development of
resource efficiency,
unlike other industrial
transitions, requires
more labour.
Significantly, regions
where unemployment is
higher could see the
greatest impact in job
creation, especially
among low to mid
skilled occupations
where job losses are
projected for the
future.

4. Employment and the Circular Economy
25,000 37,000

5. Employment and the Circular Economy
25,000
55,000

6. The Most Effective Strategies
13 strategies
• Those affecting consumption
have greatest impact on
CO2eq emissions;
• 11 strategies taken forward
in the WRAP Cymru Delivery
Plan;
Targets:
• Prevent 70,000 tonnes
waste
• Divert 560,000 tonnes from
landfill
• Sector growth of £1.2 million
• Avoid 850,000 tonnes CO2eq

7. Case study:
Supporting organisations in
Wales to reduce their
energy water resource use
and waste.

8. Case Study: Food Waste
In 2012, households in
Wales discarded
210,000 tonnes of
avoidable food waste.
Value £610 million
800,000 tonnes CO2eq
Further opportunities
across the life cycle of
food.

9. A collaborative, ‘whole chain’ approach, enabled by
frameworks for action, supported by governments
Design Production Retail Consumption

10. Sustainable
design,
buying and
sourcing
Value chain
optimisation
Consumption
behaviours
Maximising
the value
from waste
materials and
by-products
Theme 1 - Change
what we supply
through sustainable
design buying and
sourcing
Theme 2 - Change
how we supply
through value chain
collaborations
Theme 3 - Change
how we consume
through influencing
consumption
behaviours
Theme 4 - Change
what we do with
wastes and by-
products and
maximise value
Courtauld 2025

11. Case Study: Reuse
In 2011 around 3% of
household items were
reused in Wales.
Households discarded
products with a value of
£140 million.
This could rise to 7% by
2025, avoiding 450,000
tonnes CO2eq and
creating 300 jobs with
further placements and
volunteering
opportunities.
Crest Co-Operative, Conwy

12. Case Study: Accelerating Reprocessing
Infrastructure Development (ARID)
Aim: to increase the development of reprocessing and
collections infrastructure in Wales’ Convergence Area
(North West Wales, West Wales and the South Wales
Valleys)

13. Conclusions
Addressing sub-optimal
resource flows tackles
the causes of climate
change;
Pursuit of a more circular
economy can address
GHG emissions in Wales
and abroad associated
with Wales;
At the same time, it can
boost employment.