Rubbish Talk

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...

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...

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 i...

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 s...

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’...

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 int...

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,...

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 la...

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 n...

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 t...

This week, we are joined by Gordon Fergus, Treatment Development 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 su...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

Join us for a deep dive into Scotland's waste management landscape, 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...

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 beha...

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 w...