Rubbish Talk

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 management

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.