Rubbish Talk

15/07/2025

Waste Paper: A Product, Not Waste 📃🗑️

“People don’t pay you for rubbish — they pay you for material with value.”
Rod Paterson challenges the language and mindset around “waste” paper. In this clip, he explains why recovered fibre is a product — not waste — and how industry standards like EN 643 are helping shift the narrative. A compelling watch for anyone working in resource recovery, regulation, or recycling markets.

▶️ Catch the full conversation with Rod in our latest episode: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/07/03/rubbish-talk-episode-66-rod-paterson-senior-purchasing-manager-at-ekman-recycling/

08/07/2025

Opportunities Beyond 9-5🌍✏️

In this clip, Rod Paterson shares a powerful message for anyone considering a career in waste and recycling. Whether you're behind a desk or behind the wheel, the sector offers a diverse and meaningful path — but it’s one that rewards those willing to get stuck in. A must-watch for students, early career professionals, or anyone rethinking their next step.

▶️ Full episode with Rod available now: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/07/03/rubbish-talk-episode-66-rod-paterson-senior-purchasing-manager-at-ekman-recycling/

03/07/2025

🎙 New Episode Out Now! 🎙️

In Episode 66 of Rubbish Talk, we sit down with Rod Paterson, Senior Purchasing Manager at Ekman Recycling and Commercial Director at Alan Morris Recycling.

From getting dunked in septic tanks to leading award-winning recycling teams, Rod shares a career full of grit, growth, and some truly unforgettable stories. He talks waste paper markets, health and safety lessons, and the future of fibre recycling in the UK.

Don’t miss this one — it’s insightful, funny, and full of wisdom from someone who’s seen it all.

🎧 Listen now: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/07/03/rubbish-talk-episode-66-rod-paterson-senior-purchasing-manager-at-ekman-recycling/

01/07/2025

Teaching Sustainability: A Global Response 🌍

How do you know a curriculum delivers? Ask the 61 countries already using it! In this clip, Louise Robertson shares how, in just two years, the Sustainables Academy has registered thousands of educators across the UK, Australia, the US and beyond by mapping every resource to local standards. A true global movement in sustainability education. 🎓💚

Click here to listen to the full episode: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/06/19/rubbish-talk-episode-65-louise-robertson-founder-of-the-sustainables-academy/

26/06/2025

⏰ Tune into Episode 65! ⏰

It’s been a week since we heard from Louise Robertson about empowering tomorrow’s Earth stewards—from ready-made lesson plans and Earth-steward characters to global youth leadership pathways. If you haven’t yet, press play on Episode 56 and join the circular-economy movement! 🔄🌱

🔗https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/06/19/rubbish-talk-episode-65-louise-robertson-founder-of-the-sustainables-academy/

24/06/2025

Circular Economy in Schools 🌍✏️

How do we move beyond ‘take, use, dispose’? In this clip, Louise Robertson explains how the Sustainables Academy developed a ready-made circular-economy curriculum—complete with Earth-steward characters, 12 Pathways to Sustainability, and teacher resources—so schools everywhere have the tools they need today. 🚸📚

Click here to listen to the full episode: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/06/19/rubbish-talk-episode-65-louise-robertson-founder-of-the-sustainables-academy/

19/06/2025

🌟 Episode 65 Out Now! 🌟

Join us today as Louise Robertson, founder of the Sustainables Academy, reveals how her volunteer-powered nonprofit is reshaping waste education with a circular-economy curriculum now used in 61 countries, student-led clubs and “Just One Thing” micro-actions to make sustainability fun and actionable.
Listen now on your favourite podcast app! 🎧🌍

🔗https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/06/19/rubbish-talk-episode-65-louise-robertson-founder-of-the-sustainables-academy/

17/06/2025

What did you think of last night’s Disclosure? ♻️🎬

Our own Alasdair joined Kevin Keane to unpack Scotland’s looming landfill ban and the fate of the 600,000 tonnes of household waste we can no longer bury.

From eye-opening tours of new energy-from-waste plants to candid chats about why our recycling rate is still stuck below 50%, the episode didn’t shy away from the tough choices ahead. 🌍🔥

Missed it? Catch up on BBC iPlayer 👇
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002dtqm

Drop your thoughts below—are incinerators the answer, or do we need to cut waste at the source? ⬇️

Is Scotland ready for a less environmentally damaging means of dealing with our rubbish?

17/06/2025

The Future of Waste Management: Get Involved 🌍♻️

In this episode, Guy MacGregor urges the younger generation to consider careers in the waste industry, despite the challenges. “There will always be waste to manage, and it’s an industry for life!” Guy shares his passion for the sector and his belief that the waste management field offers a secure and exciting career path. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on how the industry is evolving.

👉 Click here to listen to the full episode: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/05/30/rubbish-talk-episode-64-guy-macgregor-business-development-director-at-binn-group/

16/06/2025

🚨 Tonight 8:30 pm | BBC Scotland & iPlayer 🚨

Our host Alasdair Meldrum features on BBC Scotland’s Disclosure asking the big question: Where will all our rubbish go when Scotland’s landfill ban lands?

In today’s BBC News piece, he warns:

“We’ve probably not got the trucks and vehicles to actually move it… the transport impact alone is nonsensical, but investors in incinerators say we built these because of the ban. We’re stuck in a really hard place.”

Read the full article 👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r1de24pdgo

Set your reminders and tune in tonight to see what’s really at stake! ⏰📺

Up to 100 trucks a day could take Scotland's waste to England once a landfill ban comes in at the end of the year.

13/06/2025

Fish Farm Skip Disaster 🐟🚛

Ever had a moment at work that you’ll never forget? Guy MacGregor shares a funny (and smelly) story from his waste management career. He picked up a skip from a fish farm, only to find it filled with dead salmon infected with parasites! 😱 And, to make things worse, when the lid came off, things got a little... messy. It’s one story you won’t want to miss!

👉 Click here to listen to the full episode: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/2025/05/30/rubbish-talk-episode-64-guy-macgregor-business-development-director-at-binn-group/

12/06/2025

Still haven’t tuned in to Episode 64 of Rubbish Talk? 🎙️

Join us as Guy MacGregor from Binn Group discusses their groundbreaking eco-park, waste innovation, and his journey in the waste industry. It’s an episode full of insights into the future of recycling and sustainability! 🌍♻️

🔗Catch up now: https://rubbishtalk.co.uk/category/rubbishtalk-podcasts/