About REBus – REBus

REBus: Pioneering resource efficient business models (REBMs)

The need for transformational change

Precious resources are diminishing at a rapid rate globally.

We consume three planet’s worth of raw materials – this cannot continue.

European manufacturing firms already spend around 40% of their total costs on raw
materials. Unless business models change, growing scarcity and volatility will have a
substantial effect on business profitability and resilience. (Source: WRAP Resource Revolution)

Enabling industry to change

REBus, an EU Life+ funded partnership project, is pioneering and testing a methodology that enables companies to transform their strategies to profitable, resilient and more resource efficient business models (REBMs).

Delivering REBus

WRAP and Dutch delivery partners Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) are supporting 30 SME’s, large businesses and government bodies to work through the REBM’s phases of:

Suppliers process:
Innovation, feasibility, business case, pilot, roll-out and review.

Circular procurement process:
Identify needs, engagement, specification and tendering, contract management and review.

The focus:

UK – businesses supplying products and services; and
Netherlands – government bodies and businesses trialling circular procurement.

The sectors covered by this project are:

Electrical and electronic products
Textiles
Construction
Furniture
Information and communications technology (ICT)
Catering
Carpeting

REBus is sharing the lessons learnt from these pilot projects through this website, case studies, a newsletter and at events across Europe.

Other partnership roles:

The University of Northampton are using their expertise to help scope and test the metrics involved with implementing REBMs.
The Aldersgate Group are examining how policies can create opportunities or become barriers to implementing successful REMBs. They are exploring practical solutions for these challenges.
The Knowledge Transfer Network are using their networks to reach out to businesses to engage with REBMs, along with WRAP, RWS and the Aldersgate Group.

Keeping products in use for longer

We have become a ‘throw-away’ society with many products ending up in landfill sites when they still have a re-usable value. At the end-of-life, many items could be recycled and precious materials extracted and re-used, especially from electrical and electronic products.

The current norm for linear business models, make – use – dispose, has to change .

The challenge is persuading businesses and procurers to take a leap of faith by presenting them with strong commercial business cases for implementing REBMs for supplying and procuring products.

REBM’s will enable businesses and procurers to contribute to a more circular economy. However, businesses are unlikely to change unless they can clearly understand the share of the value they can access. There needs to be a clear opportunity and REBus has helped companies and organisations recognise that opportunity through delivering REBM’s.

Circular economy via WRAP — **Source**: WRAP

Evidence and business case for change

Please click on the images below to access further information: