"There's a huge economic opportunity for us to ensure that two-thirds of all recyclable waste, which currently goes to landfill, gets recycled. This equates to over 11 billion dollars worth of raw material going into the ground every year."

Waste is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Every year, millions of tonnes of waste end up in landfills, oceans, and incinerators, exacerbating climate change and resource scarcity. Despite increased awareness, systemic inefficiencies in waste management continue to hinder progress towards a circular economy. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions that leverage technology and behavioural insights to close the loop on waste. This is where Scrapp, a green-tech startup co-founded by Evan Gwynne Davies and Mikey Pasciuto, steps in.

Scrapp began as a dorm room project and has since evolved into an international business operating across the UK and the USA. Evan and his team are strong believers in tracking waste at its source to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, getting incinerated, or ending up in our ecosystems. The idea is to optimise its disposal from the beginning of its life. “You can kind of think of us like waste accountants”, explained Evan. “You look at what's coming into a business every month, what's going out every month with regards to the material usage and the waste being generated, and then try and find ways using data to close that differential."

Since its inception, Scrapp has made significant strides in reducing waste and promoting sustainable waste management practices. Through their partnerships and technology, they have helped businesses divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills, optimising recycling rates and promoting circular economy principles. Their waste tracking software has enabled companies to gain deeper insights into their waste streams, resulting in more efficient resource utilisation and cost savings.

How Scrapp Works

Scrapp provides waste-tracking software to businesses, helping them measure and optimise their waste streams through data-driven insights. The software enables companies to monitor what materials they bring in and where they end up, ensuring waste is recycled, reused, or repaired rather than discarded. This approach tackles not only the environmental impact of waste but also the economic inefficiencies. As Evan points out, "There's a huge economic opportunity for us to ensure that two-thirds of all recyclable waste, which currently goes to landfill, actually gets recycled. This equates to over $11 billion worth of raw material going into the ground every year."

The economic benefits of circular solutions are undeniable. As Evan explains, when materials are reintroduced into the circular loop, they become more cost-effective by eliminating one of the most resource-intensive stages—mining and manufacturing. Scrapp's mission is to tap into this economic potential by providing businesses with practical, data-driven tools to seamlessly integrate sustainable practices into their operations.

While Scrapp leverages technology to enhance waste management, Evan also highlighted the behavioural component that drives recycling efforts. Initially launched as a barcode scanning app for consumers, the platform incorporated gamification features, rewarding users with either points redeemable for sustainable products or the possibility to donate their points to charity. However, an unexpected insight emerged: "People weren't interested in the free products they could exchange for their points. 96% of our users preferred to donate."

This finding underscored the altruistic motivations of individuals and led Scrapp to shift its focus from gamification to utility, streamlining the user experience. "When you've got rubbish in your hand, you just want to get rid of it," Evan reflects. "So we switched from a gamified model to a utilisation model."

Overcoming Barriers and Driving Corporate Change

Despite progress, significant challenges remain in engaging stakeholders and promoting transparency in waste management. Evan notes that many corporations resist transparency until financial incentives align with sustainable practices: "I think as long as you can find the economic levers there with regards to transparency, you will move the needle a lot more."

A major hurdle in this effort is the prevailing lack of awareness about circular economy principles. To address this, Scrapp is developing educational tools such as the Road to Zero-Waste 2024 Report, which aims to provide businesses with actionable insights and clear guidelines on waste management practices. "We learned that there's a really big education barrier to the circular economy... Most people don't know what it means, even in principle," Evan shares. But by offering comprehensive industry research, and engaging with key stakeholders, Scrapp hopes to create a more informed landscape where businesses are better equipped to implement meaningful changes.

Furthermore, Scrapp actively collaborates with policymakers and industry leaders to foster a more transparent dialogue around waste reduction goals and best practices. These efforts aim to create a ripple effect, encouraging corporations to adopt more responsible waste management strategies and embrace long-term sustainability commitments.

Building Partnerships and Expanding Reach

Collaboration has been a key driver of Scrapp's growth. Partnerships with industry leaders such as Corey Connors, host of the Sustainable Packaging Podcast, have provided valuable visibility and credibility within the sector. "He brought us onto the podcast and talked about the work that we're doing. And he's got the industry credentials that's really helping us make a name for ourselves," Evan acknowledges. Through these collaborations, Scrapp has been able to engage with industry experts, gain valuable insights, and establish credibility within the packaging and waste management sectors.

In addition to this, Scrapp has also leveraged initiatives like Change Days by We Make Change, where startups receive mentorship from corporate professionals. These sessions have been instrumental in helping Scrapp refine their go-to-market strategy, enhance sales outreach, and develop new approaches to stakeholder engagement. The mentorship provided by experienced professionals has given Scrapp access to real-world business strategies that have accelerated their growth trajectory. 

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Scrapp has set ambitious goals for 2030, including servicing 1,000 clients and diverting $1 billion worth of materials from landfills. "Our goal is to be able to service 1,000 clients to realise and divert $1 billion worth of materials and savings across all of our clients," Evan states. The long-term vision includes expanding to all countries with recycling infrastructure and potentially establishing a foundation to support waste management in developing nations.

As Evan aptly puts it, "For those that don't think change is possible, they're wrong." With a combination of technology, strategic partnerships, and a focus on education, Scrapp is proving that transforming waste management is not only possible but also essential for a sustainable future.

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This is part of our ChangeLeaders interview series with impact leaders sharing their journeys, learnings, and lessons. If you are a ChangeLeader we should interview, please email us at info@wemakechange.org.

Interview & Article: Laura De Alba