At the event hosted at the OXO Tower in London, WRAP’s CEO Harriet Lamb highlighted the need to overhaul the “take-make-dispose” economy, which she said generates nearly half of all global greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to significant waste and social inequality.
Lamb said: “Our world is being torn apart by broken systems. The food, textiles and products we use every day come from unsustainable systems of a ‘take-make-chuck out’ linear economy and produce nearly half of all global greenhouse gas emissions! They are major causes of social inequality and produce mountains of waste, pollute our water systems and destroy biodiversity. So, we must shift to new models of circular living.
“Today, we set out our bold new mission – to bring Circular Living to every boardroom and every home, around the world. We want to make Circular Living the norm, and I believe we’re on the cusp of circular business models breaking through into the mainstream.’
Mary Creagh, circular economy minister at Defra, joined Lamb at the event to voice government support for WRAP’s mission. She added: “Our current throwaway society is unsustainable and harms our air, land, and oceans.
“Moving away from it is no small task – but by working together we can make this shift to ensure people prosper and nature can thrive.
“This government is committed to moving to a circular economy in which we keep our resources in use for longer, accelerate the path to net zero and increase investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs in every region of the country.”
Patrick Grant, founder of Community Clothing and judge on BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, also spoke at the event. The event was hosted by WRAP chair Sebastian Munden.
The full Circular Living Standards will be launched in the coming months.
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