Rubbish Talk: Recent Episodes
Albion Environmental
The Rubbish Talk podcast is brought to you by staff from Albion Environmental, to widen the conversation about managing waste and resources in the UK. Each episode will interview a new guest who plays an important role within the waste and resource management industry. We will discuss everything from career journeys, balancing work and personal life, and generally just talk some rubbish.
Get in touch by emailing heather@albion-environmental.co.uk Episodes released fortnightly.
LinkedIn: Albion Environmental Latest industry news: www.industrynews.albion-environmental.co.uk
This week we sit down with Larry Kotch, CEO of Flybox, to explore how black soldier fly larvae can transform organic by-products into high-value protein and fertiliser (frass). Larry’s route to insects started at university, studying environmental governance and waste policy in South Africa. A dissertation on early insect operations “bit him by the bug,” but an entomologist steered him toward business first. After building a 40-person software agency, he returned to his original passion and co-founded Flybox to make insect systems practical for the waste sector.
Larry frames Flybox as insect waste management, not “insect farming.” Larvae are nature’s clean-up crew: in controlled, food-factory-style environments they eat organic material and, in around eight days, upcycle it into larvae (protein) and frass (fertiliser). Unlike linear “burn for energy” routes such as incineration or even AD, this approach keeps nutrients circulating—food becomes larvae, which become pet food and aquafeed ingredients, while frass returns to soils. The model is modular and highly automated: by-products are milled into a porridge (ideally ~70% moisture), dosed with juvenile larvae that Flybox supplies on subscription, grown at ~30°C, then sieved to separate larvae from frass. Outputs can be sold live, frozen, dried or defatted; Flybox can also buy back product via offtake.
Regulation shapes what goes in. In the UK/EU, Category 3 ABP rules prevent using post-consumer “black bin” food waste as feed; the focus is pre-consumer by-products. Other regions are more permissive (some even allow manures). Warmer climates lower energy needs, but feedstock reliability and logistics matter. Today’s strongest markets are premium pet food and aquaculture, with a long-term push toward mass fishmeal pricing as technology improves and organics policy evolves. Larry notes how subsidies and gate-fee dynamics for AD/EfW can distort feedstock economics; as “Simpler Recycling” and landfill/biodegradable bans bite, on-site circular options become more attractive—especially for producers whose by-products are now being turned away from AD.
Who’s adopting? Waste management companies (they control feedstock and need circular solutions) and food manufacturers/retail/distribution (seeking on-site treatment, lower costs, and “zero-waste” reporting—larvae turn a “waste” into a feed ingredient). In the UK, operators want low-labour systems, so Flybox leans into automation: robotic stacking/sieving, conveyors and climate control in modular “fly boxes” or warehouse-scale tunnels. Typical entry scale is 0.5–1 tonne/day, with the next-gen platform targeting 30–50 t/day sites. Operationally, dosing is critical—too few larvae and material remains wet and hard to handle; too many and you waste potential. Backup power and ventilation are designed in to keep conditions stable and odours controlled.
On perception and safety, Larry stresses there are no swarms of flies. Only a small breeding cohort matures; production larvae are harvested well before pupation. For householders wary of “maggots in the caddy,” he explains it’s usually down to flies laying eggs in poorly sealed bins or long storage times—good practice prevents it. Looking ahead, Flybox is completing a funding round to expand its Cheshire R&D/demo site, roll out Gen-3 for larger facilities, and move several active projects from design into construction.
Key takeaway: Insects aren’t a gimmick—they’re a credible, circular organics solution that can turn by-products into protein and fertiliser in just eight days. As policy and collection systems shift, modular insect units could help waste managers and food producers cut disposal costs, reduce emissions, and create products, not just energy.
Useful Links 🔗
Larry Kroft LinkedIn
Flybox® LinkedIn
Flybox® Website
IWM Whitepaper (Free DL)
News Roundup
Scotland’s £1.3 Billion Food Waste Problem
A new Zero Waste Scotland report reveals households are binning £1.3 billion worth of food every year — that’s around £234 per person, or nearly £100 a month for the average family. Shockingly, 73% of that waste was edible. Overcooking, poor planning, and not using food in time are the main culprits. With a landfill ban for biodegradable waste due in January 2026, the pressure to cut food waste is mounting.
Recycle Week: Toothpaste Tubes Go Plastic-Only
Toothpaste brands are switching from hard-to-recycle aluminium–plastic tubes to fully plastic designs, making them technically recyclable. With 25 million tubes sold annually in the UK, it’s a big step forward — but Alasdair points out a gap: while they can be recycled, most facilities aren’t yet equipped to capture them. For now, they may still end up in general waste.
Energy-from-Waste & Carbon Costs: A SUEZ Warning
A new SUEZ report challenges fears that the emissions trading scheme (ETS) will inevitably send waste-to-energy costs soaring. Councils, it argues, can reduce exposure by improving recycling rates and targeting “carbon-heavy” waste streams like plastics, electricals, and nappies. Alasdair highlights that better infrastructure today could mean lower costs tomorrow.
Topic: Recycling Collection Systems
This week we looked at how recycling collections compare across Scotland, England and Wales—and why some systems deliver better outcomes than others.
In Scotland, the Household Recycling Code of Practice was introduced in 2016, aiming to standardise collections of paper/card, plastics/metals/cartons, glass and food waste. Nearly all councils signed up, but consistency remains patchy. Different bin colours and rules confuse the public, and Zero Waste Scotland estimates 81% of what goes in residual bins shouldn’t be there. Food waste collections are also underused, showing the system is in place but underperforming.
England is now rolling out “simpler recycling,” due by March 2026. This standardises collections with four core containers—including a weekly food waste service for most households. It’s a big shift, but councils face major operational challenges: sourcing new bins, adapting routes, and finding capacity at treatment facilities. Soft plastics are also on the agenda, but without reprocessing infrastructure in place, their recyclability remains questionable.
Wales continues to lead with around 57% recycling. Its kerbside sort system delivers higher-quality recyclate, supported by legally binding recovery targets that drive consistent progress. This mix of clear targets, high-quality outputs and strong public engagement has kept Wales ahead of the rest of the UK.
Key takeaway: Recycling systems only work if they deliver both quality and consistency. Wales proves that clear targets and well-designed services can transform results. For Scotland and England, the biggest gains now lie in getting food waste out of residual bins, aligning messaging with infrastructure, and ensuring what’s collected can actually be recycled.
Rubbish Rant: Back Lane Dumping
This week’s rant was more of a “mini rant” from Alasdair. While out and about, he’s noticed more and more items being abandoned in back lanes — old furniture, bags of waste, or random junk left outside garden gates. The problem? It doesn’t just disappear. Often it sits there for weeks or months, creating eyesores and attracting more fly-tipping.
As Alasdair points out, extra bins mean more are stored in lanes rather than gardens — but that seems to encourage some people to leave other things out too. Whether it’s wishful thinking or just avoiding a trip to the recycling centre, it’s a bad habit that quickly turns shared spaces into dumping grounds.
Key takeaway: Bins are for waste, not the back gate. If it’s bulky, book a collection or take it to the recycling site — don’t expect it to vanish on its own.
News Roundup
Wet Wipe Island on the Thames
A 180-tonne “island” of congealed wet wipes has formed near Hammersmith Bridge — the size of two tennis courts and a metre high. Thames Water is using an 8-ton excavator to remove it, but the bigger issues are people flushing wipes containing plastic and storm overflows bypassing treatment. Police are even trialling “spike-trap” devices to trace repeat sewer blockers back to households — with fines a possibility.
Waste Crime Crackdown in Lincolnshire
The Environment Agency has confiscated £75,000 from illegal operators, but what’s new is fining machine drivers and waste hauliers too. With landfill tax now £126/tonne, waste crime is profitable, but prosecuting the whole chain could hit harder.
Food Waste Costs Families £90/Month
In Wales, the average family bins nearly £1,000 of food a year — even with collections available. Research shows 80% could have been eaten. Alasdair notes that separating food often makes households realise just how much they waste.
North Ayrshire’s Reuse Row
A political spat erupted after second-hand mattresses and furniture were reused for council homes. Critics called it undignified, but Alasdair argues it’s common sense: cleaning and reusing good items gives them a second life and keeps them out of landfill.
Pannage Pigs in the New Forest
Hundreds of pigs have been released for the annual season to eat acorns, toxic to ponies and cattle. With new food waste collections, concerns are rising they’ll target bins too — proving that “pannage season can be carnage.”
Topic: Waste Collection Methods
Alasdair and Jane explore how household collections evolved over 200 years.
In the early 1800s, waste was dumped in streets and rivers, fuelling cholera outbreaks until the Public Health Act (1848) made councils responsible. “Dust yards” collected coal ash and cinders, reused in brick-making and farming.
Milestones since:
- Late 19th century: councils built incinerators, many later closed over air pollution.
- Wartime austerity: repair and reuse were the norm.
- 1950s–70s boom: disposable goods and packaging took over.
- 1980s–90s: heavy bins and fragile black sacks gave way to wheelies, with safer lifting gear.
Today’s methods:
- Kerbside sort (e.g. Wales): higher quality recycling, but slower.
- Wheelie bins: multiple streams, used across most of the UK.
- Communal systems: common in flats/Europe, sometimes with ID-card access.
- Automated vehicles: used in rural/commercial settings to cut labour costs.
The hidden cost? In 2018, household waste services cost £154 per household per year — about 7p in every £1 of council tax. Crews face expensive vehicles, routing challenges, and health/safety risks (think gas canisters or lithium batteries).
Key takeaway: From ash bins to wheelie bins, collection has always adapted. But one simple fix we missed? Standardising bin colours nationwide to cut confusion.
Rubbish Rant (Well… Not Quite!)
This week, Alasdair broke tradition — no rant, just positivity.
Fresh from the resource management show at the NEC, he found the sector buzzing: packed talks, busy stands, and a real sense of momentum.
Key takeaway: Waste isn’t just about problems — it’s about innovation, collaboration, and the energy driving us forward.
News Roundup
Fire at S Norton’s Glasgow East Facility
Another week, another fire — this time at S Norton’s Glasgow East site. Six appliances attended, and thankfully no one was hurt. Alasdair notes around four refuse vehicles catch fire daily in the UK, often from lithium-ion batteries. Without stronger producer responsibility, these fires will keep happening.
£500m Skelton Grange EfW Facility Opens in Leeds
Enfinium has opened its £500m energy-from-waste plant in Leeds, designed to process 410,000 tonnes a year and generate 49 MW. It highlights the UK’s continued reliance on EfW as landfill space shrinks.
Dutch Waste Tax Hikes Risk ‘Waste Tourism’
The Netherlands plans big waste tax increases to raise €567m, but critics warn it could push waste abroad. Alasdair compares it to Scotland’s higher landfill tax, where price gaps risk shifting waste rather than solving the problem.
John Lewis Highlights £29m EPR Costs
John Lewis has added £29m to cover extended producer responsibility. Jane welcomes overdue accountability, while Alasdair says producers should pay for the waste they create — though retailers may simply pass the cost on.
Plastic Overshoot Day Arrives
12 September marked Plastic Overshoot Day — when global plastic generation exceeds capacity to manage it. With 28kg per person worldwide (likely higher in the UK), packaging drives one-third of production.
Toxic Landfill Leachate Mixed with Sewage
A Guardian story raised alarms about landfill leachate mixed into sewage sludge and spread on farmland. Alasdair explains it’s longstanding practice, with fertiliser benefits but real concerns over PFAS and microplastics. The fix lies upstream, not just at the last stage.
Topic: Landfill – The Last Resort?
In our final waste-hierarchy episode, we cover disposal. Both Jane and Alasdair began their careers on landfill sites, so this one’s close to home.
In the late ’80s and ’90s, nearly everything went to landfill. Concerns about leachate and gas migration pushed the UK toward liners, leachate treatment, and gas control. By the ’90s, the UK led in landfill engineering, with gas-to-energy powering homes.
The EU Landfill Directive (1999) forced higher standards and split sites into inert, non-hazardous, or hazardous. Scotland now has no hazardous sites — all waste goes south.
Landfill Tax introduced in 1996 at £7 per tonne, now stands at £103.70 per tonne in both England and Scotland. It successfully drove diversion to recycling and EfW — but also fuelled waste crime, as rogues undercut lawful disposal.
Scotland’s 2026 biodegradable landfill ban will remove household/commercial waste, but industry waste still needs outlets. With falling tonnages, some operators may not invest in new lined cells, risking shortages and long haulage — already an issue in the Highlands.
It’s not all bad: landfill gas-to-energy remains a key renewable, restored sites support wildlife, and there’s interest in landfill mining or storing plastics in mono-cells for future recovery.
Key takeaway: Landfill is still needed, but only as a true last resort. The better we reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover, the less waste ends up buried for future generations.
Rubbish Rant: Coffee Cup Chaos at Edinburgh Airport
Alasdair’s rant this week comes from Edinburgh Airport. He spotted “coffee cup only” bins full of other rubbish — and worse, dual bins (cups vs residual) both leading to a single bag. If it all goes to residual, why separate?
The UK bins 3.2bn cups annually, costing councils £5.1m, while big brands contribute just £45k via the National Cup Recycling Scheme — barely 0.01% of profits. Add public confusion (plastic iced cups ≠ coffee cups), and it looks more like PR than real progress.
Jane shared a brighter note, trying a BorrowMyCup at Glasgow’s Transport Museum. If every UK resident reused just one cup, that’s 69m fewer disposables.
Key takeaway: Misleading bins and token funding won’t cut it. The real fix? Bring your own cup and reuse.
This week on the Rubbish Talk Podcast we welcome a special guest – Andy Rees OBE, Head of Waste Strategy at the Welsh Government – for a fascinating conversation about how Wales became a global leader in recycling and what the rest of the UK can learn from their approach.
Andy’s career spans over 25 years in waste policy, starting with a background in geochemistry and water pollution before moving into waste strategy in the late 1990s. Since then, he has helped shape a system that has transformed Wales from a 5% recycling rate to nearly 70%, earning international recognition and making Wales second in the world for recycling.
Andy explains Wales success lies in its focus on consistency, quality, and public engagement. Weekly collections of separated materials – paper/card, glass, plastics/metals, and food waste – ensure high-quality recyclables that manufacturers actually want. Mandatory workplace recycling reinforces the message beyond households, creating a culture of recycling “at work, rest and play.” Food waste has been a particular priority, with capture rates rising from 45% in 2018 to 58% in 2022 thanks to strong communication campaigns and accessible weekly services.
But Andy is clear that recycling is just the beginning. The Welsh Government’s Beyond Recycling strategy looks to the next step: prevention, reuse, repair, and remanufacturing. From reuse hubs to plastic film recycling trials and investment in local processing facilities, Wales is working to keep resources circulating in its economy for as long as possible, creating jobs and reducing reliance on raw materials.
There are challenges, of course. Behaviour change takes time, political pressures can make bold decisions difficult, and new infrastructure requires investment. Yet Andy’s message is simple: be brave and stick with it. Wales was once told that 25%, 40%, even 70% recycling targets were impossible – but persistence paid off.
The key takeaway from this episode is that clear systems, strong public engagement, and political courage can transform waste management. By designing for quality, supporting reuse, and persevering through resistance, we can build a truly circular economy that benefits both people and the planet.
News Roundup 🗞️
EU Plastics Recycling Industry Warns of Imminent Collapse
The European plastics recycling sector is in crisis. Falling demand, rising costs, and low-priced imports are pushing facilities to the brink. By the end of 2025, Europe could lose 1m tonnes of recycling capacity. Alasdair links this to UK plant closures — a worrying trend that risks undoing progress on circularity.
Plastic Energy Produces First Recycled Oil at Dutch Plant
Some brighter news: Plastic Energy has produced its first batch of pyrolysis oil (TACOIL™) in the Netherlands, using hard-to-recycle plastics as feedstock. Jane calls it a breakthrough: turning unrecyclable waste back into raw material. Full commercial production is expected later this year.
QMRE Secures Permit for Plastic-to-Oil Operations in Kent
QM Recycling Energy has secured a permit in Kent to process up to five tonnes of plastic waste a day into oil. Smaller in scale than Plastic Energy, but another sign that advanced recovery technologies are moving forward.
DEFRA to Reform Waste Carrier, Broker and Dealer System
DEFRA plans major changes to waste carrier regulation, moving to permits and exemptions. The aim is tackling waste crime, but Alasdair warns against painting the whole industry as “criminal.” Enforcement should focus on true offenders, while the public needs clearer communication about why rules (like bulky uplift changes) are in place.
Topic: Your Waste, Your Responsibility ♻️
This week Jane and Alasdair take on litter — and the myth that “the bins were full” is an excuse. At its heart: responsibility. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, everyone has a legal duty of care from the moment waste is created until it’s finally dealt with. That applies to households, businesses, and contractors alike.
On a daily level, that means simple things: if a bin’s full, use another or take waste home. Don’t stack bottles on top or leave bags beside bins — that’s still littering.
The duty becomes even more critical with home renovations. If a builder’s “mate with a van” fly-tips your bathroom and the bags trace back to you, you’re liable. Always ask carriers where waste is going, check they’re licensed (SEPA in Scotland, the Environment Agency in England), and get proof. If a price looks too cheap, it probably ends in a lay-by.
The scale is huge: Scotland sees 250m visible items of litter each year and tens of thousands of fly-tipping incidents, costing tens of millions to clean up. Penalties exist — £80 for littering and £500 for fly-tipping — and new rules mean litter thrown from vehicles can now be penalised via the keeper. But laws only matter if enforced.
Takeaway: Leave no trace. Carry rubbish to the next bin, fold cups, stack containers, and compact waste to leave room for others. Responsibility doesn’t end when you drop it — it’s on all of us to cut the 250m items blighting Scotland each year.
Rubbish Rant: Batteries Burning the Sector 🔥
Another week, another fire — this time at a Scottish site run by Cireco. While still under investigation, it reflects a growing crisis: lithium-ion batteries in the waste stream. Across the UK, an estimated four refuse collection vehicles catch fire daily, often triggered by hidden batteries from vapes, earbuds, and electronics.
Alasdair argues operators can’t keep carrying the blame when the real issue is producers and poor product stewardship. Despite take-back rules, too many batteries end up in bins. Stronger producer responsibility is needed — clearer labelling, proper collection, or even a deposit-return model for vapes.
Jane adds that public education is vital: the real frontline is householders choosing what to put in the bin.
Takeaway: Fires put workers, facilities, and services at risk. Producers and government must step up, while the public takes responsibility for safe disposal.
News Roundup
KKR Set to Sell Viridor for £7bn
Private equity giant KKR is preparing to sell UK recycling firm Viridor, five years after buying it for £4.2bn. With a potential £7bn price tag, it shows how lucrative waste infrastructure has become — even as Viridor’s Kent plastics plant closure highlights ongoing market challenges. Alasdair notes that many UK energy-from-waste sites are up for sale, reflecting both volatility and profitability.
Global Plastics Treaty Talks Collapse
Two weeks of negotiations ended without agreement on reducing plastic production or tackling plastic pollution, as lobbying pressures derailed progress. Jane and Alasdair voice frustration at yet another missed chance to address this global crisis.
Indaver Exits Ness EfW Plant
Indaver has walked away from the troubled Ness Energy-from-Waste facility in NE Scotland, leaving original owner ACW in charge. Though now operational again, the disruption forced councils to arrange costly landfill back-up — a stark reminder of infrastructure fragility.
UK’s First Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Facility
LIBAT has opened the UK’s first lithium-ion battery recycling site, using nitrogen to safely shred batteries and recover cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium. While “black mass” is still exported for final processing, this is a key step in tackling a fast-growing waste stream.
Major Fire at Dunfermline Landfill
A blaze at Cireco’s Lochhead landfill destroyed equipment but caused no injuries. It’s the latest in a worrying pattern of fires linked to batteries and vapes. With 3–4 waste vehicle fires a day in the UK, Alasdair calls for stronger measures to keep hazardous items out of bins.
Topic: Recover the Energy of Waste Produced
This week, Alasdair and Jane continue their journey through the waste hierarchy, arriving at recovery — the stage where we extract energy from what’s left after we’ve reduced, reused, and recycled.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a clear win: it turns food and organic waste into methane for energy and digestate for farmland. Yet only 20% of Scots use their food waste bins. Full participation could erase Scotland’s current energy-from-waste (EfW) capacity gap.
EfW, often dubbed incineration, deals with what’s left. Modern facilities meet strict emission standards and can supply electricity, heat, and recover metals from ash. Shetland’s district heating scheme is proof of how well this can work.
But EfW faces issues: high costs, inflexibility, and criticism for destroying resources that future tech might recover. With Scotland’s biodegradable landfill ban (Jan 2026) and up to 700,000 tonnes of waste still needing homes, EfW is vital — but far from perfect. Add the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (2028), which could add £80–£90/tonne, and it’s clear we must focus harder on prevention and proper recycling.
Takeaway: Use your food waste caddy, recycle right, and reduce what you bin. The less we throw away, the less we need to burn.
Rubbish Rant: Coffee Cups & Empty Promises
This week’s rant targets the National Cup Recycling Scheme. Backed by Costa, McDonald’s, Pret, and Greggs, it’s launched a £45,000 fund for cup recycling. Sounds good? Not when the UK bins 3.2 billion cups annually, costing over £5m just to dispose of. Against those figures — and the massive profits of these brands — £45k looks like PR, not progress.
Alasdair’s verdict? Skip the disposables. Bring your own cup. One reusable could stop you adding to the 49 cups per person the UK throws away each year.
Final Thought: Real change isn’t token gestures — it’s cutting waste at the source.
News Roundup
Scotland’s Recycling Reality Check
The Scottish Government’s new report shows that while some materials (like food waste) are recycled locally, much of Scotland’s “recycling” is just bulked and shipped elsewhere. Alasdair stresses the need to distinguish between material prepared for recycling and what’s actually recycled at home — a gap that reveals both challenge and opportunity for Scotland’s circular economy.
Violence Against Waste Workers on the Rise
A SUEZ report reveals violence and abuse towards waste workers is up 42%. Sadly, it’s a common issue. Through SWITCH, Alasdair has helped promote training and awareness, stressing that abuse is never acceptable. Useful resources: SWITCH Aggression Resources.
Kingussie High Leads on Reuse
Good news from Kingussie High School, where pupils will swap single-use lunch packaging for reusables. Packaging made up 9% of their waste — so this step is a big win, and perhaps proof they’ve been listening to our reduction and reuse episodes!
Local Sustainability vs. Big Business
Former guest Bryce Cunningham (Ep. 61) of Mossgiel Dairy has lost his East Ayrshire Council milk contract to multinational Muller. Bryce supplied organic, local milk in bulk, cutting packaging and supporting local jobs. His loss highlights how procurement focused only on cost can ignore environmental and community benefits.
A Dog with a Nose for Litter
Finally, meet “Little Logie,” a black Labrador from Plymouth trained to collect bottles and cans on walks. If a dog can tidy up the coast, surely we can all manage our litter. Follow his cleanup adventures on Instagram!
Topic: Recycle the Waste You Produce
Jane and Alasdair move onto the third stage of the waste hierarchy: recycling. Too often seen as the ultimate solution, recycling only works when done right — and comes after reduce and reuse.
Almost anything can be recycled in theory, but without clean streams and proper systems, much isn’t viable. Coffee cups, films, and food-contaminated packaging are major culprits, while “wish cycling” (wrong items put in the bin in hope) only makes things worse. Around 20% of UK household recycling is spoiled before it even reaches processors.
High-value recycling happens when glass bottles or cardboard become the same products again. But plastics are often “downcycled” into lower-value items due to poor separation. Contamination and weak markets make it harder — virgin materials often undercut recycled ones despite landfill tax at £126/tonne.
Simple habits matter: rinsing containers, separating films, tearing greasy pizza boxes, and using food waste bins (still only 20% used in Scotland). Maggot fears usually come down to poor segregation, not the system.
Stats show Scotland’s recycling rate at 42.1% — behind England (44%), NI (50.2%), and Wales (57%). With strong systems already in place, Scotland should be leading, but better public engagement is essential.
Takeaway: Clean, separated recycling means stronger markets, lower costs, and a system that works for everyone.
Rubbish Rant
Two rants this week.
First, Alasdair’s beach walk revealed litter left after a sunny weekend, while Jane shared “Bin Wars” from her local Facebook group. Complaints about overflowing bins sparked calls for bigger ones, but as Jane said: take responsibility for your own waste.
Later, Alasdair turned political, reacting to a new £52–56k role at Zero Waste Scotland for a Circular Economy Behaviour Change Analyst. Local authority depot managers overseeing 100+ staff earn about the same — yet face daily abuse, safety risks, and huge responsibility. His point? It’s not that analyst roles lack value, but frontline workers often aren’t recognised equally.
Takeaway: We all need to own our rubbish — and rethink how we value the people keeping the system running.
This week on the Rubbish Talk Podcast we welcome a special guest – Michael Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Circular Communities Scotland – for an in-depth conversation about the role of community-led projects in building a circular economy. Michael’s journey into the sector wasn’t part of a grand plan; he began his career in financial services before moving into the third sector, where he has now spent seven years leading an organisation that has grown from just four staff to a team of ten, and from 115 members to an impressive 268 charities and social enterprises.
Circular Communities Scotland’s mission is to work nationally, focus on community-led action, and support projects that keep resources in use for as long as possible. Michael explains that the charity’s work falls into two main strands: supporting its members through events, training, and resources such as funding seminars, and representing them at policy level, advocating for changes that make reuse and repair easier. Their recently published Reuse First Manifesto calls for exactly these kinds of systemic shifts.
Although the sector is growing, Michael is clear that challenges remain. Competing with cheap, quickly replaced products is difficult, especially when repair costs can outweigh replacement prices. Funding uncertainty is a constant issue for many third-sector organisations, often forcing them into short-term planning. There is also a pressing need for product design standards that make items more repairable and longer lasting. Michael points out that the benefits of reuse are not as visible as a wind turbine or an electric car, but the impacts are real—creating jobs, reducing poverty, strengthening communities, and cutting carbon emissions.
Changing mindsets is a big part of the challenge. Michael would like to see second-hand and reused goods become socially desirable rather than “second best.” His vision is for sharing libraries and repair hubs to be a fixture on every high street, backed by a level playing field that allows circular economy businesses to compete on price. He also believes we need to better communicate the social and environmental benefits of reuse, repair, and sharing so they are valued alongside more visible environmental initiatives.
For anyone wanting to get involved, Michael recommends visiting their website and using the “Reuse Near Me” map to find local projects by material type. Whether you’re looking to donate, volunteer, or simply learn more, there’s likely a project near you making a difference.
The key takeaway from this episode is that a circular economy is as much about people as it is about resources. By rethinking how we use and value our possessions, we can create jobs, support communities, and protect the planet.
Useful Links from Michael:
•🌐 Website: www.circularcommunities.scot
•📍 Member Map: Find a reuse project near you
•📄 Impact Report 2024: Read here
This week we dig into one of construction’s most misunderstood materials: plasterboard. Why is it banned from landfill? What risks does it pose? And why is so much still being tossed into skips?
News Roundup
Plastic & Public Health
A report in The Lancet warns plastic pollution is damaging human health at every stage of life and costing $1.5 trillion annually. Alasdair and Jane discuss how even "sustainable" packaging choices like plastic wine bottles raise questions, and highlight growing concerns about microplastics in food and drink.
Recycling Industry Turmoil
Biffa has closed its Sunderland plastics plant — the latest sign that UK recycling capacity is under pressure. Meanwhile, Veolia is investing £70m in a new facility in Shrewsbury. Alasdair argues we need better reporting: baling is not recycling.
Waste Crime Update
The Joint Unit for Waste Crime released its 2024–25 report. A few vehicles and sites were inspected, but Jane and Alasdair agree: the scale of enforcement is nowhere near what’s needed.
Landfill Tax Reforms
Plans to scrap the lower tax rate for inert waste could see the cost of landfill rise dramatically — from £4 to over £126 per tonne. The hosts warn this could trigger a spike in fly-tipping unless recycling systems are improved.
Rubbish Rant:
Jane’s had enough. A skip in her village was filled with reusable plasterboard, timber, and cardboard — all good materials thrown away. A builder at the pub even said they used to reuse everything.
Even if the skip is heading for a recycling site, Jane points out that only the biggest, cleanest bits get recovered. The rest? Lost to landfill or incineration.
Alasdair links it to his appearance on The Gaffer podcast: half a sheet of plasterboard might not seem like much, but over time that waste adds up — in cost and carbon.
Takeaway: If you’re producing waste, you can help reduce it. Segregate. Reuse. Ask your contractor where the skip is going.
Topic: Deep Dive Into Plasterboard
Plasterboard contains gypsum, which breaks down in landfill and creates hydrogen sulphide — a toxic, sometimes fatal gas. That’s why the UK banned it from landfill back in 2009.
But despite the ban, plasterboard is still showing up in general waste skips. Alasdair’s recent TikTok (now with over 79k views) showed exactly that — and sparked heated responses ranging from “I paid for the skip, I’ll do what I want” to “they’ll sort it at the plant.” But will they?
The reality is: plasterboard can only be recycled if it’s clean and separated. Jane and Alasdair explore where gypsum comes from, how it can be reused, and how take-back schemes (like Knauf and British Gypsum) rely on good on-site practices. Mixed skips = lost opportunity.
With newer plasterboard products containing foil, foam and other layers, the recycling process is becoming more complex. Still, the key message is clear: segregate at the source.
Got thoughts or feedback? Email hello@rubbishtalk.co.uk or connect on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook.
See you again next Thursday at 4pm!
This week, we're moving to the second stage of the waste hierarchy — reuse! Alasdair and Jane unpack the importance of giving things a second life, whether it's takeaway tubs turned into lunchboxes, refilling your water bottle, or buying a jacket second hand.
News Roundup
UK Recycling: Up overall, but Scotland’s slipping
New stats show UK recycling rose to 44.6% in 2023, but Scotland fell behind at just 42.1%. Despite having food waste segregation for over a decade, public engagement still lags. Wales led the way again with 57%.
Zero Waste Scotland shake-up
Iain Gulland will step down as CEO of Zero Waste Scotland by the end of 2025. Alasdair hopes new leadership will take things back to basics and focus on building public understanding before pushing ambitious circular economy targets.
£1.1 billion for recycling infrastructure
The UK government has committed £1.1bn from packaging reforms to improve local recycling services. Businesses will now pay to cover the cost of managing the packaging they produce — a key part of extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Wet wipe ban on the way in Wales
Wales has announced a ban on plastic-containing wet wipes by December 2026, and England is consulting on doing the same. Scotland has yet to commit. Jane and Alasdair revisit the infamous London fatberg, made of congealed oils, wipes, and… Kit Kat wrappers.
Greenwash alert: Kit Kat’s "recyclable" wrapper
Kit Kat’s new plastic wrapper claims it can be recycled “if opened in one piece.” But Alasdair is sceptical — where can the public actually recycle it? And who’s collecting it? More greenwash than green action.
TikTok is buzzing
Our TikTok is gaining momentum! Alasdair’s video on plasterboard in skips racked up over 79K views, leading to next week’s episode topic: why plasterboard is banned from landfill, and what we can do with it.
Alasdair’s guest appearance on “The Gaffer”
He recently featured on The Gaffer podcast with Gavin Coyle to talk construction waste, plasterboard, and practical tips for small contractors. Link coming soon.
Topic: Reuse the Waste You Produce
Reusing is often the simplest and most effective way to cut waste. Alasdair explains it best: if every person in the UK reused a plastic bottle just once, we’d remove 68 million bottles from the system overnight. That's huge.
Jane and Alasdair chat about practical ways reuse shows up in daily life: reusable flasks, food containers, takeaway tubs, and yes — those trendy Stanley cups. They also touch on initiatives like BorrowCup in Glasgow and Circular Communities Scotland, which connects people to reuse and repair hubs near them.
They also revisit Episode 57 with Anthony Burns from ACS Clothing, a company pioneering clothing reuse, repairs, and rental at scale — showing that reuse isn't just for individuals, it's a business model too.
From Vinted to charity shops, repair cafés to secondhand tech, the tools are there — it’s just about building new habits.
Rubbish Rant: Misleading Headlines
This week’s rant? Sensationalist headlines. One paper claimed households could be fined £200 for binning toothpaste tubes incorrectly. The truth? New bin rules in England are targeting gross contamination, not honest mistakes.
Alasdair calls out the media for causing fear rather than clarity. And realistically, most toothpaste tubes aren’t even accepted in kerbside recycling — yet.
This week’s solution:
• Use items fully
• Know what your council accepts
• And don’t believe everything you read in bold print.
Welcome to the new format of Rubbish Talk!
Rubbish Rant
Why can’t we just take our litter home?
In our first-ever official Rubbish Rant under the new podcast format, Alasdair kicks things off with a very relatable frustration: litter left behind on Scottish beaches after a sunny weekend. Despite bins being placed every 20 yards, people still leave glass bottles, overflowing bags, and general waste scattered around — creating hazards for wildlife and kids alike.
Jane jumps in to highlight the absurdity: if you managed to carry your full bottles and picnic gear to the beach, surely you can carry the lighter, empty waste back? Not to mention the seagull buffet that results when bags are left beside bins.
The Rubbish Talk Rule: No rant without a solution!
This week’s fix? Take your litter home and recycle it properly — it’s easier, cleaner, and safer for everyone.
This Weeks Topic: Reduce the Waste You Produce
The best waste is the waste you never create.
This week, Alasdair and Jane unpack the very top of the waste hierarchy: waste prevention. While most people jump straight to recycling, it’s actually the third best option — and this episode explores how to stop waste before it even starts.
Don’t need it? Don’t buy it.
Alasdair kicks things off with the perfect example: the running race t-shirt drawer. How many freebies do we really need? Instead, opt for charity donations or tree-planting schemes if you’re given the choice.
Say no to plastic tat.
Whether it's kids’ toys from fast food meals or birthday party clutter, there’s a massive opportunity to rethink what we gift and consume. Jane recalls McDonald’s Happy Meal toys — fun for 5 minutes, landfill for 500 years.
Borrow, don’t buy.
Libraries, toy libraries, tool libraries — they're all brilliant alternatives to purchasing things you’ll only use once. Plus, they help rebuild that old-school community spirit of sharing what you already have.
Shop with a plan
Impulse buys, over-ordering food, falling for “Buy One Get One Free” deals — these all lead to waste. Planning meals, checking your cupboards, and asking "do I really need this?" before clicking buy can make a massive difference.
Your challenge this week:
Before you buy anything — online or in-store — take a moment to check if you already have it, really need it, or can borrow it instead. Let us know how you get on at hello@rubbish.co.uk or tag us on social media!
News Roundup
Alasdair Eats McDonald’s for the First Time in 10 Years
What followed was an impromptu waste audit: 93 grams of packaging from one meal. Multiply that by 1.4 billion UK orders per year, and that’s 130,000 tonnes of waste, much of which won’t be recycled.
Despite most packaging being technically recyclable, fast-food waste often ends up in overflowing bins or as litter. Alasdair even made a few videos breaking this down — check them out on our TikTok @rubbishtalkpodcast to see the waste in action!
Dutch Innovation Tackles River Plastics
The Netherlands has developed the world’s first self-sorting microplastic trap for rivers — using only water flow physics.
Inspired by fish gills, the trap filters out plastic while allowing natural debris to pass through, collecting up to 82% of floating plastic waste — without power or moving parts. It’s a smart step in fighting pollution at the source.
Landfill Ban Looms in Scotland
Scotland’s 2026 landfill ban on biodegradable waste is fast approaching — and the country is not ready. With limited incineration (waste-to-energy) capacity and some plants shutting down, the waste industry is facing a huge challenge.
We're potentially looking at 90+ lorries a day transporting waste to England, just to keep up. It’s a logistical, environmental, and policy mess that desperately needs attention.
This week on Rubbish Talk, we’re joined by Charlotte Davies, Senior Consultant at Beyondly and the first-ever Early Careers President for CIWM. Charlotte shares her inspiring journey into the world of waste and resources—from her early climate-conscious student days to leading work on packaging, circularity, and life cycle assessments. She opens up about the quirks of bin audits, the impact of new legislation like EPR, and why raising the profile of waste is crucial in tackling the climate crisis. Packed with insight, passion, and the perfect amount of rubbish humour, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how waste fits into the bigger sustainability picture.
In Episode 66, we’re joined by Rod Paterson, Senior Purchasing Manager at Ekman Recycling and Commercial Director at Alan Morris Recycling. Rod reflects on his decades-long journey through the waste and recycling industry — from his early days in septic tanks to leading award-winning teams and driving business growth. Along the way, he shares hard-earned lessons in health and safety, thoughts on industry inconsistencies, and why people remain at the heart of everything he does. A candid, insightful, and at times hilarious conversation you won’t want to miss.
Tune in to Episode 56 of Rubbish Talk as Jane and Alasdair welcome Louise Robertson, founder of the Sustainables Academy, to explore her game-changing circular-economy curriculum, youth-led sustainability clubs and “Just One Thing” eco-actions. Discover how her volunteer-powered platform is empowering teachers and students in 61 countries to design waste out of the system—one classroom at a time.
In episode 64 of Rubbish Talk, we sit down with Guy MacGregor, Business Development Director at Binn Group. Guy shares insights into their innovative eco-park in Scotland, where they’re transforming waste management through recycling, renewable energy, and cutting-edge technologies. Tune in to hear how Binn Group is leading the way in sustainability and the future of waste management!
In this episode of Rubbish Talk, we chat with Debbie Horton, Environmental Policy Officer for the Falkland Islands Government. Debbie takes us through her unique journey in environmental policy and the challenges of managing waste on one of the world’s most remote islands. From dealing with logistical hurdles to working on innovative recycling solutions, this episode offers a fascinating look at sustainability in a truly isolated setting. Tune in for an insightful conversation on waste management and environmental policy!
In Episode 62, we’re joined by Simon Little, Director at Powerday, who shares his journey in the waste management industry and offers valuable insights into Powerday’s role in the sector. With over 18 years of experience, Simon has helped Powerday grow and solidify its reputation as a leader in construction waste management, particularly in London.
In this week’s episode, we were thrilled to speak with Bryce Cunningham, the passionate founder and Managing Director of Mossgiel Organic Farm. Bryce’s journey is one of innovation, sustainability, and resilience, and it’s a story that resonates deeply with those looking to make a real difference in the agricultural and food industries.
We’re excited to welcome Alex Collman, the founder and managing director of SoilEx, a leading consultancy and waste management company specialising in the construction and demolition sectors. Alex shares his invaluable insights on waste management, industry shifts, and the growth of his business that’s helping clients “make sense of muck!”
Tune in to hear more about Alex’s journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his thoughts on the future of waste management.
In this episode of the Rubbish Talk Podcast, we chat with Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, about how digital solutions are transforming the recycling and packaging industries. Alice shares insights into Polytag’s innovative connected packaging technology, including QR codes and invisible UV tags, which help brands track the lifecycle of their packaging and improve recycling efforts. We also dive into the challenges and opportunities within the recycling sector, the digital transformation of supply chains, and the exciting potential for future innovation in sustainability. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the future of circularity and waste management!
In Episode 58 of the Rubbish Talk Podcast, we sit down with Richard Coulson, Chair of the Wood Recyclers' Association (WRA), to discuss the world of wood waste, recycling and sustainable practices. Richard has over two decades of experience in the waste wood sector, spanning procurement for biomass industries and panel boards. He is also currently working as the Biomass Procurement Manager at RWE, a global leader in power generation.
In this episode we have a great conversation with Anthony Burns, Chief Operating Officer at ACS Clothing where we dive deep into the world of sustainability, circular business models, and the future of fashion. ACS Clothing, is a company at the forefront of transforming the fashion industry toward a sustainable and circular future.
Listen now and be sure to subscribe and stay updated on all the latest trends in sustainability, waste reduction, and innovative solutions for a circular economy!
This episode with Rebecca Henderson is an eye-opener on the immense potential that waste holds—not only for environmental sustainability but also for social and economic change. Her work at WasteAid is helping communities tap into this potential, creating a more circular economy where waste is no longer seen as just a problem, but as a resource that can drive prosperity and improve lives.
Listen now to learn more about Rebecca’s work and the ground breaking initiatives led by WasteAid!
Join us as we welcome Tim Walker, a prominent leader in environmental services with decades of expertise in waste management. Currently the Acting Chief Executive of ARC21, Tim also serves as the President of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and is a Visiting Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast. In this episode, we explore Tim’s remarkable career, his insights into the circular economy, and his vision for the future of the waste sector. Plus, we delve into his personal journey, tracing his path from the early days of his career to his influential leadership roles today.
This week, we are joined by Gordon Fergus, TreatmentDevelopment Director at Veolia. Gordon shares his career journey into waste management, his insights into Veolia’s role in ecological transformation, and his thoughts on the future of the waste sector.
Don’t miss this inspiring discussion with Gordon, where we dive into the complex world of waste management and explore the path towards a more sustainable future.
This week, we had the honour of chatting with John Crawford, a veteran of the waste management sector whose career spans decades of innovation, advocacy, and education. From his early days driving tractors to lecturing at Strathclyde University, John’s journey is as inspiring as it is fascinating!
In Episode 52, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sarah Cartmill, Community Liaison Manager at MVV Environment, Dundee’s Energy from Waste facility. With three years of experience in the waste industry, Sarah is dedicated to educating and inspiring others to reduce, reuse, and recycle. As Community Liaison Manager, she leads innovative initiatives to promote recycling and sustainability. Be sure to tune in to this episode of Rubbish Talk to hear about Sarah’s journey, her valuable insights into waste management, and the passion that motivates her to work toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Tune into Episode 51 as we chat with Simon Rutledge, Sustainability and External Affairs Manager at Biffa Waste Services. Simon brings over 30 years of experience to the conversation, offering a unique perspective on the evolving world of waste management. From his early days as a site chemist to his current role influencing policy and sustainability strategies, Simon’s journey is one of passion, adaptability, and dedication to the circular economy.
Join early-career professionals, students, and industry leaders for this special episode of Rubbish Talk, recorded live at the Resourcing Scotland Conference. Featuring Alasdair Meldrum (Albion Environmental), Sheila Best (SLR Consulting & CIWM Scotland), and Claire Shipp (REA), the session explores career advice, challenges, and opportunities in waste management. With lively Q&As, polls, and discussions, discover how young professionals can shape the sector's sustainable future.
Celebrate 50 episodes of Rubbish Talk! For this special episode, we’ve shaken things up, co-host Jane Bond will be interviewing host Alasdair Meldrum about the podcast’s journey, standout guests, and future goals. With a special intro from listener and past guest Jim Brown (Ep. 9), this milestone episode dives into surprising lessons, memorable moments, and Alasdair’s vision for waste management’s future—with plenty of laughs and insights along the way!
Join us for a deep dive into Scotland's waste managementlandscape, as presented by Alasdair Meldrum at the Resource in Scotland Conference on November 14th. This session explores Scotland’s waste production, recycling metrics, and opportunities for improvement within the industry.
For more insights, watch the full presentation with slides on our YouTube channel .
In this episode of Rubbish Talk, we sit down with Tom Reid, Head of Infrastructure at East Lothian Council, to explore his 34-year journey in public service. Starting unexpectedly in waste management, Tom now oversees essential services like transport, waste, and roads in one of Scotland’s fastest-growing regions—all while managing tight budgets.
Tom shares insights into East Lothian’s proactive waste strategies, including how recycling generates revenue, and encourages listeners to appreciate the vital role of public services in their communities. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion on leadership, resilience, and the future of infrastructure.
In this episode of the Rubbish Talk Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Carfrae, Programme Director for the Masters in Soils and Sustainability at SRUC and the University of Edinburgh. Jennifer shares her fascinating journey from zoology to soil science, her passion for waste management, and how she prepares the next generation of sustainability experts. We discuss her insights into recycling behaviours, global waste management policies, and the challenges of moving industries toward a circular economy. Plus, hear her thoughts on using AI in education. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation!
In this episode, we chat with James Piper about his journey in sustainable waste management, exploring the challenges, innovations, and future of the industry. Tune in to hear his insights on transforming waste into resources, the role of technology in recycling, and the importance of engaging communities in environmental efforts!
In this episode of Rubbish Talk, we chat with John Rennie, Operations Officer at Volker Gruppe, about the world of plastics and polystyrene (EPS) recycling. With over 26 years of experience, John shares his journey from theatre lighting to waste management, highlighting the untapped potential of EPS recovery and its role in a circular economy. Learn how Volker Gruppe is transforming polystyrene waste into insulation and why John believes stronger advocacy and infrastructure are key to the future of plastic recycling.
In this episode, we chat with John Morrison, Waste Strategy Coordinator at South Ayrshire Council. John shares his journey from street cleaner to managing waste operations across the Ayrshire coast, the highs and challenges of his career, and his passion for making a difference in the waste sector. Tune in to hear his thoughts on public littering, career advice, and even one of his punk rock songs from his band SMEEKERED!
In this episode of the Rubbish Talk Podcast, we sit down with Neil Duncan, Chief Operating Officer at Clearwater Ltd., to explore his journey from the railway industry to waste management. Neil shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the waste sector, the importance of sustainability, and his vision for the future, including the creation of a Waste Academy. Tune in to hear valuable advice for the next generation and learn how Clearwater is redefining waste management practices.
Join us as we sit down with Stuart Stockman, an experienced Waste Disposal Technician with Stirling Council. Stuart has been dedicated to managing waste and recycling processes for over a decade and has a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share. Stuart Stockman’s dedication to waste management in Stirling demonstrates how one individual’s passion can greatly influence a community's approach to sustainability.
In this episode of Rubbish Talk, we have the pleasure of speaking with Elspeth Watson, a dedicated Training Instructor for the Neighbourhood Regeneration and Sustainability Department at Glasgow City Council. Elspeth shares her passion for making a positive impact in Glasgow through her work in training and development.
Join us as we chat with our special guest, Anna Klos, a passionate environmentalist. Anna's journey in the waste management sector is both diverse and inspiring. Her early passion for the environment has driven her dedication to quality, safety, and compliance. Don't miss this inspiring episode!
Join us for Episode 40 featuring Nick Noble, a marketing industry veteran with 30 years of experience, who has recently ventured into the waste sector. Nick shares his journey, insights, and future aspirations for Danu Robotics and the waste industry. Whether you’re a waste industry veteran or new to the field, this episode is packed with valuable information and inspiration.
Join us as we chat with Nigel Tomlinson, who serves as the Commercial Director at GAP Group, Northeast Limited. Hear all about Nigel's journey, insights into the waste management industry, and exciting developmentsat GAP Group. Don’t miss out on his valuable advice and perspectives!
Join us as we chat with Amy Bird, a powerhouse in the metal recycling industry, sharing her journey and insights. Amy’s story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the transformative power of recycling. Tune in to hear more about her incredible journey, the challenges she’s overcome,and her vision for a more sustainable future.
Join us as we delve into John’s fascinating journey, glean insights from his wealth of experience, and explore the evolving landscape of Waste Management in our latest podcast episode. Don't miss out on this enriching conversation!
We're thrilled to introduce our special guest, Louise Cowan! Louise is a Director in the Climate team at Local Partnerships.
Her journey into the Waste Industry is both unique and inspiring, join us in celebrating Louise's remarkable journey and gain valuable insights into Waste Management and Sustainability!
We're thrilled to welcome Craig Chandler, an esteemed professional with over 24 years of experience in the waste/resource sector. Join us as we delve into Craig's fascinating journey, glean insights from his wealthof experience, and explore the evolving landscape of waste management. Don't miss out on thisenriching conversation!
Dive into our latest Rubbish Talk episodewith Marcus Holden, Senior Consultant at BACB Renewables! Discover insights into waste management, landfill gas extraction, and emerging energy tech. Tunein for career stories, industry challenges, and future projects. Listen now for invaluable advice and inspiration!
Dive into the extraordinary journey of Terry March, a trueveteran of the waste management industry! From beginning as an apprentice metallurgist to his current roles in quality assurance and mentoring, Terry's story is one of dedication and passion. Join us as we explore his insights, challenges, and the importance of environmental responsibility.
Listen to Duncan’s fascinating journey through the Waste and Recycling sector and discover his passion for the environment! We chat about some of his favourite memories, hobbies and how he wants to keep making a difference within the sector.
This week, we welcome Colin Clark as our guest, who dedicated his career to the Waste Sector for over 35 years before retiring.
We chat about Colin's journey through the Waste Sector, some of his favourite memories/trips and the comical events which followed. We also find out what Colin likes to do in his spare time since retiring.
Our guest this week is Robert Robb, Manager within the WasteResources/Streetscene Services within North Ayrshire Council
Robert has worked in waste management his full career since he first started as a bin man in the late 80s. He is very passionate about his family/friends, the waste management services, standing up for the public sector, golfing, poetry and mindfulness.
Wendy is a chartered civil engineer and has worked in the water/waste and circular economy for most of her career. Her passion is supporting behavior change and understanding how we can be more strategic in our longer term resource management. To minimise our carbon footprints and to support useful ways in which to create a regenerative approach to our activities.
You can find Wendy on LinkedIn
Join us for an insightful episode featuring Simon Glen, aseasoned professional with over 30 years of expertise in waste, resource management, and renewable energy.
As the Director of Gather, Simon provides deep market insights, technical expertise, and financial analysis, offering valuable support to both the public and private sectors. Currently, Simon is involved in two dynamic businesses, Natural Capital Analysis and Gather.
Welcome back to the first episode of 2024! In thisepisode, we turn the mic around to our hosts Alasdair & Jane and quiz them on all things Rubbish Talk!
After 26 guests we have A LOT to think about and discuss, so tune in now for a bit of excitement and test your Rubbish Talk knowledge.
Visit https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/ to sign up for our Newsletter!
Join us for an exciting live episode of Rubbish Talk as Alasdair engages in a lively discussion with Louise Robertson and Nina Cameron, recent graduates of theUniversity of the West of Scotland’s Waste Industry CPD modules. Broadcasting directly from the festive CIWM Christmas Lunch, our live audience gets an exclusive insight into the world of waste management.
Discover how the UWS CPD course has influenced Louise and Nina's approach to waste management and gain valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by newcomers in this dynamic field. Don't miss this lively and informative episode featuring real-world experiences from two professionals shaping the future of waste.
Tune in now!
In episode 25, we chat to Alex CEO of Hubbub, an environmental charity based in London that is here to inspire change, visit Hubbub HERE!
We discuss Alex’s past career in the music industry as wellas some of the VIRAL campaigns he has worked on over the years.
Tune in now for your dose of environmental Rubbish Talk!
In episode 24 of Rubbish Talk we have a brilliant chat with Sheila Best! Sheila is currently the Waste Services Manager for Perth & Kinross Council in Scotland. With 20 years resource sector & environmental management experience she has successfully delivered on key projects for the Local Authority.
This episode begins with Alasdair & Elleisha discussing some interesting environmental news stories! Followed by our guest Sheila Best being interviewed on her career and thoughts on the waste industry…
You can find Sheila on LinkedIn
Join Alasdair and Jane for Episode 23 of Rubbish Talk as they discuss the latest environmental updates, featuring guest Colin Forshaw.
On this week’s episode we speak to Colin about his career in the waste industry. Having spent over 20 years in waste and recycling operations, most of which in Scotland, Colin is responsible for the management of several local authority contracts, most notably with Aberdeen City Council.
Visit Rubbish Talk for more podcast updates!
Join Alasdair and Elleisha for a deep dive into the latest environmental updates, featuring a fascinating discussion onHalloween pumpkin waste.
This week, we're thrilled to welcome a very special guest, Pamela Walker, the Northeast Waste Projects Manager at Aberdeen City Council. With over three decades of experience in waste management and a wealth of knowledge in sustainable practices, Pam provides invaluable insights into tackling waste-related challenges.
Visit Rubbish Talk for more podcast updates and to sign up to our newsletter.
In this episode we talk to David Balmer from ERS, David walks us through his career journey and his passion for working in the waste sector.
In Episode 20 of the Rubbish Talk Podcast, we embark on a journey through the complex world of environmental sustainability, guided by the expertise of Erina Brown, a dedicated PHD student from Strathclyde University. Erina's mission revolves around understanding and combatting the pervasive issue of microplastics and their profound effects on pollution.
Don't miss the opportunity to explore Erina's groundbreaking paper on microplastics and water pollution, adding anacademic dimension to this engaging episode.
Join us on Spotify to gain valuable insights, stay informedabout crucial environmental issues, and become part of the conversation!
On this episode of Rubbish Talk, we speak to Bruce McLean from CCL North and Restructa. Bruce McLean has been actively involved in recycling of electrical and electronic equipment for over 25 years. You can discover more about CCL North & Restructa.
This episode features some Albion achievements and interesting new waste management acronyms!
Episode 18: Debbie Neely, Entrust Environmental
On this episode of Rubbish Talk, we speak to Debbie Neely from Entrust Environmental. Debbie has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years, mainly working with organics, soils and legislation surrounding these areas. You can discover more about Entrust Environmental here.
This episode features some interesting stories as well as exciting news for Albion Environmental!
Episode 17: Laura Young, Award Winning Climate Activist & Ethical Influencer
On this super exciting episode of Rubbish Talk, we spoke with Laura Young, award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer. Laura was recently awarded the Scottish Influencer of the Year - Inspiration for her work.
Laura discusses life as a PHD student and expands on her mission to ban vapes across the UK. She provides helpful tips and insights on how we can all make a change and aim to reduce waste!
For more information on the news articles discussed please visit the Rubbish Talk website.
You can visit Less Waste Lauras website here and visit her social media channels @LessWasteLaura
Episode 16: Charlie Devine from Dundee Waste Partnership
On episode 16 of the Rubbish Talk podcast, we spoke with Charlie Devine, Service Manager for the Waste Partnership in Dundee City Council. Charlie has 30 plus years of involvement and experience within the waste and resources sector and is currently the Service Manager for the Waste Partnership at Dundee City Council which is an innovative partnership between Dundee City and Angus Councils for the treatment and disposal of their residual waste.
For more information on the news articles discussed please visit the Rubbish Talk website.
Episode 15: Scott Butler from Material Focus
On episode 15 of the Rubbish Talk podcast, we spoke to Scott Butler, Executive Director at Material Focus. Scott set up Material Focus, a not-for-profit organisation to build a world where materials are never wasted. Before Material Focus, he set up and ran the UK operation for the European Recycling Platform (ERP), delivering environmental compliance for electricals, batteries and packaging to hundreds of companies, including many of the world’s tech giants.
For more information on the news articles discussed please visit the Rubbish Talk website.
Episode 14: Gail Martin from CIWM
On episode 14 of the Rubbish Talk podcast, we spoke to Gail Martin, Centre Engagement Manager at CIWM. Gail initially joined the resources and wastes sector on a temporary contract where she quickly developed an interest and passion for the sector.
For more information on the news articles discussed please visit the Rubbish Talk website.
Episode 13: Robin Stevenson from Hamilton Waste
On episode 13 of the Rubbish Talk podcast, we spoke to Robin Stevenson, Managing Director at Hamilton Waste. Over the past 5 years Robin has inspired significant change within the industry, with Hamilton Waste becoming the first Scottish waste management company to attain a carbon neutral status through implementing a dedicated strategy of mitigation and offset measures.
For more information on the news articles discussed please visit the Rubbish Talk website.
In episode 12 we talk to Jane Bond who has worked in the waste industry for over 30 years in a variety of roles with consultancy, local authority and SEPA. Jane is currently the Project and Business Development Director at Albion Environmental (when she is not out on her bike!). In this episode Jane shares details of her current role and how she ended up in the industry with some interesting stories on her journey.
On episode 11 of the Rubbish Talk podcast, we have a great chat with George Niblock. A man with over 50 years experience in the Waste industry, George started his journey as an Apprentice Sanitary Inspector, working his way to Director of Environmental Health and then running his own consultancy Niblock Environmental Ltd for 14 years. George was Chair of CIWM SCC during their Centenary year and is now a Life Member and Fellow of CIWM, he was also Chartered EHO, Chartered Waste Manager and Chartered Environmentalist - Once a waster always a waster!
George is still very much involved in the sector despite being 'retired'. He is Chairperson of Inverurie Community Energy Society Ltd a not for profit Bencom, planning to bring district heating to Inverurie and surrounding area utilising the residual waste heat from a proposed EfW, with ambitions to bring social, economic and environmental benefits to the community.
George shares his experience in the industry, how things have changed since he first joined, what he thinks we could all be doing better. We have a lot more content coming from George in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.
On episode 9 of the Rubbish Talk podcast, we chatted to Jim Brown, Commercial Director at Binn Group. Jim has worked in the waste and recycling industry for over 30 years providing proactive waste management solutions for businesses across the UK with specialist knowledge of Retail, Public Sector / NHS, Food and drink, construction, and industrial sectors. He has spent the last 9 years at Binn Group, and continues to grow and develop the business and adjust to the ever-changing demands of the sector.
We discuss Jim's journey from keen Salesman to Commercial Director within the waste industry, and have a great chat as he shares his hobbies and job on the side!
You can contact Jim with any business enquiries at Jim.Brown@binngroup.co.uk Or connect on LinkedIn here.
For more information about Binn Group, all details are on their website www.binngroup.co.uk
News Items:
Links to some news items discussed on episode 9 are below:
Juul Labs e-cigarette fines: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65258827
Matoha PlasTell Machine: https://matoha.com/plastics-identification
DRS Delayed in Scotland: https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/scottish-drs-delayed-again-until-march-2024/
We have a great chat with Jenny Grant, head of organics and natural capital for the REA (the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology), who has been involved in the organics and recycling industry for 20 years. REA Organics promotes the benefits of composting, aerobic and anaerobic digestion and other biological treatment and the use of biologically treated materials. Jenny works with Government and Regulators on behalf of members and provides technical advice to compost producers and AD operators, delivers training, assists operators with achieving end of waste certification and advises on recycling of organics to land.
This episode, Jenny explains all about her role and how she ended up in the organics and recycling industry. She shares some shocking statistics about the impact of food waste and why it's so important we make more of an effort to recycle our unavoidable food waste.
You can find Jenny on socials.. LinkedIn and Twitter For all things REA you can find them below.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/renewable-energy-association/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/REAssociation
Website: https://www.r-e-a.net
We have a Rubbish Talk first this week - Simon Glen is our first guest who purposely entered the waste industry!! We have a great chat with Simon where he explains how he went from an economics, philosophy and social science degree to a Masters in Waste Management and never looked back. With a dynamic mix of projects under his belt, we discuss Simon's current role working across 2 businesses, Natural Capital Analysis and Gather. There is a number of influential people mentioned who shaped Simon's career and it's only fair we give them another shout out -
Gholam Jamnejad
Dr Colin Clark
Caroline Gallacher
Nick Grove-White
Bob Gilmour
Jim Baird
Eric Melrose
Irvine Morrison
Colin Murchison
Ken Morin
Jestyn Davies Industry News Round-Up
Links for some of the topics mentioned in the episode's news round up!
- ZWS Textiles Report
- Litter Lotto
For the Runners:
https://barkleymovie.com/
https://run247.com/running-news/trail/barkley-marathons-2023-live-tracking-latest-results
https://thegreenrunners.com/
https://www.ultradamo.com/
http://jasminfellrunner.blogspot.com/
Against all odds we have this week's episode with Ruth Innes! Some technical issues caused us to nearly lose the recording, but we are glad to share our really insightful chat with Ruth.
We talk all about Ruth's route to working in waste management, the important role of NHS Scotland Assure and how they are implementing great changes to help decarbonise and manage waste within the NHS.
Alasdair and Heather also discuss some hot topics on the news round-up. Links and articles promised are listed below! Enjoy!
- NorthEast company fined £26,000 for odour issues from anaerobic digestion plant - https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/north-east-company-fined-26000-for-odour-issues/
- Beauty Kitchen - https://beautykitchen.co.uk/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18572271978&gclid=CjwKCAjw_MqgBhAGEiwAnYOAehSBLF4-pDDYoIiSZiH2mjZagfpvkH5x5JJHq61yFi1Asc7gBj1mLRoC-XsQAvD_BwE
- Circularity Scotland
- Ayr Seaforth Running
We sat down with CEO of Cireco, Robin Baird to discuss his own journey into the waste and resource management industry and he shares his current objectives for his role at Cireco. Robin shares a lot of great advice for anyone starting out in their career and what we think is some great life advice!
Robin quotes "The Man in the Mirror" poem (no, not the Michael Jackson song) which we think is a great motto for life - click the link to read the full thing.
You can find Robin on LinkedIn and you can keep up to date with all Cireco activities on their Website, LinkedIn, Twitter.
Waste Management News:
This week Alasdair and Heather revisited some popular topics and Alasdair backs up his rant from Episode 2 regarding wreaths/flowers left on public benches. We have explained in more detail on the Rubbish Blog.
We discuss more complications arising with the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland
How we need to be more conscious of what we are letting off into the atmosphere (the dangers of lanterns and one really scary example): https://www.expressandstar.com/news/emergency-services/2013/07/01/huge-fire-at-smethwick-recycling-plant/
A quick mention of the Zero Waste Scotland Construction Waste Portal
We had a really interesting chat with Laura Tainsh from Davidson Chalmers Stewart. Laura is the lead partner in the Environmental & Waste Team at DCS and discusses her career as an environmental lawyer. We chatted about everything from learning on the job, first visits to landfill sites and how to influence your friends and neighbours to recycle better!
Laura shares some advice for anyone interested in the waste and environmental sector and as usual we ask her to explain a common sector acronym!
You can follow Laura on Twitter: @LauraLTainsh and LinkedIn: Laura Tainsh
To keep up to date with Davidson Chalmers Stewart you can find their website here: https://www.dcslegal.com/
Follow DCS on Twitter: @dcslegaluk and LinkedIn: Davidson Chalmers Stewart llp
News Notes: We discussed some key topics in the news section, for anyone interested in any of the topics the relevant links are below.
Scottish Government Incineration Review part 2: Read Here.
Productivity Club Scotland: https://www.scdi.org.uk/productivity-clubs/
KTP at The University of the West of Scotland: https://www.uws.ac.uk/business/knowledge-expertise/knowledge-transfer-partnerships/
Innovate UK: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/guidance-for-applicants/guidance-for-specific-funds/knowledge-transfer-partnership-guidance/
Carbon Champs Twitter: @CarbonChampions
We sit down with Amanda to talk about her career in Health & Safety and how she ended up working in the waste sector. She shares the highs and lows of her career journey and shares her knowledge on plastics recycling and how we can all create less waste!
WRC Recycling are committed to providing an exceptional waste management service, from start to finish, for any size of business. They prioritise the needs of their clients’ businesses and act with integrity to provide a total waste management solution. WRC are helping businesses become more environmentally friendly by turning their waste into valuable resources; in the hope of helping Scotland become a 'zero waste society'.
Website : http://www.wrcrecycling.co.uk
Keep up to date with WRC Recycling on socials;
Twitter @WRCRecycling , Facebook WRC Recycling, LinkedIn WRC Recycling
This week we talk to Grant Keenan, Managing Director of Keenan Recycling.
Keenan Recycling was founded in 2001 starting off as a garden waste composting business and growing to become the largest food and gardening recycling business in Scotland. The company is focused on creating a more circular economy, running Europe’s largest In-Vessel Compositing plant and turning our food and garden waste into compost. Grant talks to us about his career journey and how he built such a successful business, and breaks down some technical information about the sector.
To find out more about Keenan Recycling’s services, visit their website: https://www.keenanrecycling.co.uk/
Follow on socials:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keenan-recycling-ltd/
Twitter: @keenanrecycling
Instagram: @keenanrecycling
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keenanrecycling
You will also hear us discuss this month's industry headlines that caught our eye, and we introduce Alasdair's first 'Rant of the Week'!
Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and not associated with their employers. All information discussed is accurate to the best of our knowledge. If you require further clarity on a topic, or believe we have got something wrong, we’d be happy to receive feedback via email: alasdair@albion-environmental..co.uk
On the first episode of Rubbish Talk, Albion Environmental director and Rubbish Talk Podcast creator Alasdair Meldrum is interviewed by one of his co-hosts Heather Beattie. We discuss Alasdair’s career journey in the waste and resource management industry, how he started his own waste management consultancy, and how his running helps him to switch off from work as a business owner.
You can find Alasdair on LinkedIn for all things business here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alasdair-meldrum-133a6520/
If you’re interested in Alasdair’s running adventures, you can follow his blog here: http://alasdair77.blogspot.com/
Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and not associated with their employers. All information discussed is accurate to the best of our knowledge. If you require further clarity on a topic, or believe we have got something wrong, we’d be happy to receive feedback via email: alasdair@albion-environmental..co.uk
Host Alasdair Meldrum and co-host Heather Beattie introduce the Rubbish Talk podcast. First official episode will be released on Thursday 5th January 2023.
If you have any questions, topics you’d like us to cover, guests you’d like to hear on the podcast, or just want to rant about rubbish, please get in touch by emailing heather@albion-environmental.co.uk
New episodes will be released fortnightly. Keep an eye out for teasers on our social media:
Twitter: @AlbionEnv
Facebook: @AlbionEnv
LinkedIn: Albion Environmental
Stay up to date with the latest industry news here: https://industrynews.albion-environmental.co.uk/