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 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 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 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.