PUBLIC PROCUREMENT NEWS

  

News

16 December 2014

UK council scheme reduces waste and saves money

Warp It is a UK reuse scheme established in 2011 that reduces council waste and saves money by providing an online platform for councils to loan or give away unwanted public resources. Public authorities, schools, charities and other organisations can use the platform to acquire the resources they need for free or at a heavily reduced rate.

By placing resources up for grabs, namely office furniture and equipment, councils have seen significant public procurement savings. Northumberland County Council (UK) reduced procurement spending by 64 percent in one year, and 18 months later actual spending fell from £97,614 (€123,070) to £4,202 (€5,300). Dundee City Council (UK) has saved £100,000 (€126,080) in costs and donated over £20,000 (€25,200) in equipment to third sector organisations over a period of six months.

“Flexible working arrangements, office moves, downsizing and company expansion all affect the quantity and style of equipment required. Linking to an online platform, however, can alert staff to available items before they are needed, and negates the time consuming and expensive practice of raising purchase orders,” says Daniel O’Connor, Warp It Chief Executive. Notably, the website claims to have saved 995,004kg of CO2 and 432 days of staff time, while diverting 366,254kg of waste to date.

For more information, visit the Warp It website.