The Waste and Resources Action Programme
Analysis
The Waste and Resources Action Programme is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Oxfordshire. It was registered in December 2014, 12 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Waste and Resources Action Programme reported income of £28.7m and spending of £29.5m, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £15.8m to £28.7m (+82%), an average of +16% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 70%. Over the whole period it spent 103% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Waste and Resources Action Programme sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Earthshot Prize (£23.9m), Marine Stewardship Council (£33.7m) and Museum of London Archaeology (£19.4m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 94%, trading 3.0% and investments 2.3%. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 1.1%. Reserves of £4.6m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 292 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.5%
- Charitable activities 94%
- Trading 3.0%
- Investments 2.3%
In the charity's own words
WRAP's vision is a thriving world in which climate change is no longer a problem. WRAP's mission is to make the world a more sustainable place. We bring people together, we act on the facts and we drive change. Our core purpose is to help tackle climate change and protect our planet by changing the way things are produced, consumed and disposed of.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Earthshot Prize | London | £23.9m |
| Marine Stewardship Council | London | £33.7m |
| Museum of London Archaeology | London | £19.4m |
| Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts | Newark | £43.7m |