The Beyond Waste Podcast

The resource and waste sector is central to circularity, climate action, jobs and resource resilience. So why do so many people still see it as just “bins”? In this episode of Beyond Waste, CIWM President Vicki Hughes and CIWM Early Careers President Emma Mulligan join us to discuss Vicki’s presidential campaign, Think Again, and the challenge of making the sector more visible, more accessible and...

As David Greenfield concludes his term as CIWM President and Charlotte Davies reflects on her year as CIWM’s first Early Careers President, they look back on the conversations, challenges and progress that defined their time in office. They discuss bringing the resources and waste and circular economy agendas closer together, tackling the skills and workforce gap, making the sector central to conv...

Guest Linda Aspey, Climate Psychology Alliance Hosted by Trang Dang, CIWM  Climate change is not only an environmental, political and economic challenge. It is also an emotional one. In this episode, Trang Dang speaks to Linda Aspey from the Climate Psychology Alliance about the growing field of climate psychology and the eco-emotions many people experience in response to the climate crisis, inclu...

Plastic recycling sits at the heart of the circular economy — yet across the UK and Europe many recyclers are struggling to survive. If recycling is such a critical part of the system, why is the business model so difficult to sustain? In this episode, we’re joined by Richard Hudson from the CIWM and Adam Herriott from WRAP to explore the realities facing plastics recyclers today. From volatile ma...

Wales has secured UK government approval to include glass in its Deposit Return Scheme – a move that sets it apart from England and Northern Ireland and raises major questions about the future of UK-wide resource policy. In this episode of Beyond Waste, we speak to John Twitchen of Stuff4Life about what including glass in Wales’s DRS actually means in practice – and why it matters. Why did Wales p...

Planetary boundaries are under pressure. Legislation is tightening. And 2026 is shaping up to be another pivotal year for the UK’s resource and waste sector. In this episode, CIWM’s policy, innovation and technical leaders — Dan Cook, Tina Benfield and Richard Hudson — unpack what the next phase of transition really looks like. From Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to the UK Emissions Tradin...

2025 was a year of big promises, policy pivots, and growing pressure across waste, resources, and the circular economy. In this special year-in-review episode of Beyond Waste, guest host David Greenfield (President, CIWM & Vice President, CEI) is joined by Charlotte Davies (CIWM Early Careers Team President) to unpack what really mattered. From simpler recycling reforms and waste crime hitting...

What does circular economy progress look like when it starts at community level? In this episode of Beyond Waste, host Richard Hudson (CIWM) is joined by voices from across the Dennakuwo partnership to reflect on three years of collaboration in The Gambia. Drawing on the newly released WasteAid–CIWM impact report, the conversation explores how skills, confidence, and local leadership can transform...

As global divisions intensify and international agreements falter, the path to sustainable consumption has never felt more uncertain. Yet the need for resource recovery, resilient systems, and fair global supply chains is only growing. In this episode of The Beyond Waste Podcast, guest host Tim Walker (arc21) is joined by Maya de Souza (Materia Verde) and Beth Barker (Aldersgate Group) to tackle o...

Following the recent City Environment Debate, hosted by The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators, this episode of The Beyond Waste podcast features some of the experts that joined the debate to recap, share and further their discussion around sustainable UK cities. The debates brief: The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators is pleased to announce the second City Environment Debate, which w...

In this short but sharp episode of A Quick Waste Conversation, Richard Hudson (CIWM) is joined by Amy Bloom (SUEZ & CIWM Early Careers Team) to unpack the government’s latest announcement on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding for local authorities. EPR is often described as a “silver bullet” for the challenges of waste and recycling—but is it really that simple? Richard and Amy dis...

In this special Festival of Circular Economy episode, guest host Mark Shayler sits down with Siddharth Hande of Kabadiwalla Connect to explore one of the most overlooked forces in global sustainability—the informal waste supply chain. From the streets of Chennai to a data-driven map reshaping how waste is collected and processed, Siddharth shares how formalising waste picking isn’t just about bett...

What will the resource and waste sector look like in ten years—and who will lead it? In this episode of the Beyond Waste podcast, host Katie Cockburn, CIWM/CEI, is joined by Bonni Jee, ASPE, and Sarah Langmaid, University of Exeter, to unpack the future of work in an industry undergoing rapid transformation. From the rise of digitised logistics and data-driven decision-making to the emergence of n...

Lee Marshall, CIWM (host) Prof David Greenfield, CIWM/ CEI In this milestone episode of Beyond Waste, we sit down with Dr. David Greenfield for his first official podcast as President of CIWM. With decades of experience in resources, waste, and circular economy innovation, David shares his ambitions for the year ahead—and why now is the time for bold, joined-up action. We explore the key themes of...

At the Festival of Circular Economy, host Mark Shayler sits down with Greyparrot Co-Founder Amrish Mitra to explore how cutting-edge AI is reshaping the future of waste. From teenage tech obsessions to launching ethically-driven companies, Amrish shares the journey that led him to the frontline of resource intelligence. This episode, sponsored by Greyparrot, dives into how technology can unlock ef...

In this special episode, outgoing CIWM President Tim Walker reflects on a pivotal year at the helm. From launching his presidential report Turning Off the Tap on Materials to representing CIWM at international events and connecting with members across the UK and Ireland, Tim shares key milestones, challenges, and hopes for the future of the sector.   Host: Lee Marshall (CIWM) Guest: Tim Walker (ar...

In this episode, we dive into CIWM’s report on shaping financial and fiscal policy to support a circular future . From tax reform to targeted investment, we explore the tools policymakers and industry leaders need to drive real change. Joined by expert voices, we connect the dots between headline ambitions and the practical policies needed to get there — drawing on insights from other key reports...

Plastics are often seen as sustainability’s public enemy number one, blamed for ocean pollution, microplastic contamination, and more. But is the story that simple? In this episode, we explore the controversial world of plastics—examining their bad reputation, the rise of innovative alternatives, and the often-overlooked benefits of this material. Join us as we dive into the debate: are plastics t...

Secure your place at this year's Resource Conference Cymru - https://shorturl.at/dBMSC In this episode of Beyond Waste, host Lee Marshall (CIWM) is joined by Robbie Staniforth (Ecosurety) and Simon Rutledge (Biffa) to dive into the launch of Defra’s Circular Economy Taskforce. What does this bold initiative mean for the UK's resource and waste sectors? And how can it drive tangible progress in cir...

In this special episode of the Beyond Waste Podcast, we dive into the global momentum behind Circular Cities Week (CCW) and explore how cities around the world are embracing the circular economy revolution. Join our expert panel as they share insights from events held in four dynamic cities: London & Brighton & Hove with Dr. David Greenfield (CIWM/CEI & CEC) Hong Kong with Harry Li (As...

In this year-end wrap-up episode of the Beyond Waste Podcast, host Lee Marshall is joined by Charlotte Davies, CIWM’s Early Careers President, to reflect on a transformative year in the resource and waste sector. From major policy developments like EPR, DRS, and the disposable vapes ban, to the impact of a new government and the launch of the Circular Economy Taskforce, we explore the stories that...

In this special episode of The Beyond Waste podcast, we’re diving into the pressing insights and actionable strategies from the recent Worshipful Company of Water Conservators debate, "Accelerating the Transition to a Circular Economy." Guest host Adam Reed (SUEZ) joins Allan Barton (Worshipful Company of Water Conservators) and Tim Walker (CIWM) to unpack the challenges and opportunities surround...

Join host Lee Marshall (CIWM) for this insightful episode, produced as part of ReLondon's Circular Economy Week (#CEweek2024). This time, we dive into the concept of circular value chains with an expert panel featuring Dr. David Greenfield (CIWM/CEI/etsaW), Maya de Souza (Circular Economy & Policy Expert), and Bert van Son (Founder of MUD Jeans). Together, they explore how to define a value ch...

In this episode of the Beyond Waste Podcast, host Lee Marshall is joined by Patrick Mahone from CIWM's Policy & Innovation Forum. Together, they recap the key points of the UK’s Resource & Waste Strategy and delve into the origins of CIWM's 10 policy asks. Discover how these policy recommendations were shaped by the progress (and challenges) of implementing the strategy and what the future...

In this episode of the Beyond Waste Podcast, host CIWM's Lee Marshall is joined by Steve Bates, Chair of CIWM's Behaviour Change Special Interest Group and Managing Director of Mobius Agency, along with Helen White, Vice Chair of the group and Senior Consultant at Tetra Tech. Together, they explore the evolution of behaviour change in waste management, from the rise of kerbside recycling in the 20...