Richard Swannell
Dr Richard Swannell, Director of Design & Waste Prevention at WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), has spent his career working on ways to reduce our impact on the environment. WRAP helps businesses and individuals reap the benefits of reducing waste, developing sustainable products and using resources in an efficient way. Dr Swannell is a microbiologist by training and holds a Doctorate in Environmental Engineering.
He has spent the last 12 years building successful business partnerships to reduce waste. Formerly Deputy Director of Envirowise, Richard joined WRAP in 2004 where he led the Retail team that delivered the ‘Courtauld Commitment’, an agreement between WRAP and all the main UK retailers to reduce packaging (www.wrap.org.uk/retail/courtauld_commitment).
His current remit is design and waste prevention where he is responsible for driving improved design and resource efficiency in key resource-intensive sectors. This covers the following sectors: construction (including ‘Half Waste to Landfill’), food and drink (including the successful ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign helping consumers save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making better use of the food they buy), hospitality and DIY. It also looks at reducing the environmental impact of textiles and electronics.
