Rubbish Talk

The Rubbish Talk podcast is brought to you by staff from Albion Environmental, to widen the conversation about managing waste and resources in the UK. Each episode will interview a new guest who plays an important role within the waste and resource management industry. We will discuss everything from career journeys, balancing work and personal life, and generally just talk some rubbish. Get in touch by emailing hello@rubbishtalk.co.ukEpisodes released Thu. 4pm fortnightly.LinkedIn: Albion Environmental Latest industry news: www.industrynews.albion-environmental.co.uk

Rubbish Talk is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 126 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Rubbish Talk, a business show with 126 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Rubbish Talk

  Episode 122: The Future of Rubbish Talk & The Challenges Facing the Waste Sector

  Aug 6, 202617 min

  This week on Rubbish Talk, Alasdair returns with another solo episode to share an update on the future of the podcast and reflect on some of the biggest challenges currently facing the waste and resources sector. Following the response to Episode 121, Alasdair begins by thanking everyone who has reached out with feedback, guest suggestions and offers of support. He explains that while Rubbish Talk won't be releasing a brand-new episode every week for the next few months, the podcast isn't going anywhere. Alongside a number of new guest interviews already in the pipeline, the team will also be revisiting some of the 121 previous episodes, sharing valuable conversations that many newer listeners may have missed. The episode also includes some personal reflections from a recent trip to Spain, where Alasdair was struck by the cleanliness of public spaces and beaches. Comparing this with the UK's ongoing litter problem, he asks why people often behave differently abroad and whether investing more in street cleansing and public awareness could help change attitudes at home. Turning to the industry, Alasdair discusses what he believes is one of the most challenging periods the waste sector has faced in decades. With Energy from Waste facilities offline, landfill capacity becoming increasingly limited and several operators facing significant disruption, he explains how pressure is building across the entire waste management system. He argues that waste continues to flow regardless of the challenges, meaning any disruption to disposal outlets has consequences throughout the supply chain. The conversation also explores the distinction between genuine waste crime and operators struggling with compliance because of limited disposal capacity. Alasdair believes regulators must continue tackling criminal activity while recognising the pressures facing legitimate businesses operating within an increasingly constrained system. He also calls for a clearer national strategy to ensure sufficient landfill and Energy from Waste capacity is available to provide long-term resilience for the sector. Finally, Alasdair highlights the upcoming Resources in Scotland Conference on 5 November, encouraging anyone working in the waste and resources sector to attend and take part in discussions around many of the issues covered in this episode. A thoughtful update on the future of Rubbish Talk and an honest discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing the waste sector.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Rubbish Talk

  Episode 121: Reflecting On The Rubbish Talk Journey

  Jul 30, 202625 min

  This week on Rubbish Talk, Alasdair takes to the microphone solo to reflect on the journey of the podcast, from launching in January 2023 with no podcasting experience to producing over 120 episodes packed with insight from across the waste and resources sector. Looking back, Alasdair discusses why Rubbish Talk was created and the importance of giving a platform to the people driving the industry forward. Over the past three years, the podcast has welcomed everyone from government representatives, students, industry leaders to frontline waste professionals, each sharing their own experiences, challenges and career journeys. Together, these conversations have created a valuable resource for anyone working in, or interested in, the waste and resources sector. The episode also reflects on some of the biggest issues facing the industry today. Alasdair discusses the need for better public education around recycling, food waste and littering, arguing that improving understanding and encouraging personal responsibility are essential if we are to move towards a more circular economy. He also explores the disconnect between policy and reality, highlighting the importance of honest conversations about what the waste sector can and cannot achieve. Looking ahead, Alasdair shares his vision for the future of Rubbish Talk. The goal is to reach a wider audience beyond those already working in waste management, helping more people understand the role the sector plays in tackling climate change, reducing waste and protecting valuable resources. He also invites listeners to become part of the journey by sharing episodes, suggesting future guests and topics, or even volunteering to support the podcast behind the scenes. Above all, Episode 121 is a thank you to everyone who has supported Rubbish Talk over the past three years—our guests, listeners and wider network—and a reminder that while the podcast has come a long way, there's still plenty more to discuss.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Rubbish Talk

  Episode 120: Emma Mulligan, Senior Consultant at Rooted & CIWM Early Careers President

  Jul 23, 202646 min

  This week on Rubbish Talk, Alasdair is joined by Emma Mulligan, Senior Consultant at Rooted Environmental and the newly appointed CIWM Early Careers President. Emma shares her journey into the waste and resources sector, her move to an independent consultancy, and her passion for encouraging the next generation to consider careers in the industry. Emma explains how her interest in environmental science led her into waste management through a placement with Norfolk County Council's closed landfill team, before progressing into consultancy roles with AECOM, WSP and now Rooted Environmental. She discusses the differences between working for large multinational consultancies and a smaller specialist consultancy, highlighting the opportunities for innovation, collaboration and working closely with clients across both the public and private sectors. A major focus of the conversation is Emma's new role as CIWM Early Careers President. She outlines her plans to inspire more people to join the waste and resources sector through greater engagement with schools, universities and apprentices, while also supporting professionals in their first ten years of their careers. Emma discusses ideas including webinars, practical career resources and building stronger networking opportunities to help early career professionals connect and develop. The discussion also explores some of the major changes facing the sector, including the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and how new legislation could reshape recycling markets and waste infrastructure. Emma reflects on the importance of preparing the industry for change while ensuring new professionals have the knowledge and confidence to contribute to future developments. Away from work, Emma talks about completing the Brighton Marathon, volunteering with her local Brownies group, and leading running sessions in her community. She also shares why networking, asking questions and getting involved with professional organisations like CIWM can make a huge difference to anyone starting their career in the waste and resources sector. A thoughtful conversation covering careers, professional development, consultancy, industry change and the future of the waste and resources sector. Useful Links: Emma Mulligan | LinkedIn CIWM Early Careers Team | LinkedIn About Early Careers | CIWM Website Rooted | LinkedIn

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Rubbish Talk

  Episode 119: Emmeline Aves, Commercial Manager at ReVentas

  Jul 16, 202642 min

  This week on Rubbish Talk, Alasdair is joined by Emmeline Aves, Commercial Manager at ReVentas, to explore the development of advanced plastics recycling technology and the challenges of turning difficult waste streams back into high-quality materials. With a background in Chemistry and Polymer Science, Emmeline shares her journey from research and development into the commercial side of recycling. She explains how she became involved with ReVentas from its early stages, helping to develop its pilot plant and technology programmes before moving into a role focused on bringing the technology to market. The conversation takes a closer look at ReVentas’ dissolution recycling process, which is designed to recycle common packaging plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Rather than simply melting the plastic, the process dissolves the target material, allowing contaminants including colour, dirt, odour and other materials to be removed before the plastic is recovered again. Emmeline explains how this can produce a much cleaner, “virgin-like” recycled material suitable for more demanding applications. This could help address one of the biggest challenges facing the plastics industry: producing recycled content that is consistent and high-quality enough to be used in packaging, automotive components and potentially food-contact applications. The episode also explores the journey from laboratory testing to developing a pilot plant and planning ReVentas’ first commercial-scale facility. Emmeline reflects on the challenges of scaling new technology, securing finance and working with engineers, customers and industry partners to make sure the final material meets real-world requirements. Flexible plastics are another major focus, particularly with more household films expected to enter recycling collections. Emmeline and Alasdair discuss the current lack of UK sorting and treatment capacity, the importance of creating markets for these materials, and why the entire supply chain needs to work together rather than relying on collection alone. The conversation also covers the influence of regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility and the Plastic Packaging Tax, which are creating greater demand for recycled content and helping to make investment in new technologies more viable. Looking ahead, ReVentas is focused on building its first commercial plant, expanding into new materials and applications, and exploring how the technology could be licensed internationally. Emmeline believes technologies like dissolution recycling can play an important role in keeping plastics in use and reducing the amount exported, incinerated or disposed of. A fascinating conversation covering plastics, chemistry, innovation, investment and the technologies helping move the recycling industry closer to a truly circular economy. Useful Links Reventas Website Emmeline Aves | LinkedIn Reventas | LinkedIn

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Rubbish Talk

  Episode 118: Digital Waste Tracking, CIWM Think Again Campaign & News Roundup

  Jul 9, 202632 min

  This week on Rubbish Talk, Jane and Alasdair return with another News Roundup, taking a closer look at two of the biggest topics currently facing the waste and resources sector: Digital Waste Tracking and CIWM's Think Again campaign. They also discuss the latest industry news, from nitrous oxide canisters and vape recycling to the Tartan Army's tidy reputation. Digital Waste Tracking – It's Closer Than You Think Digital Waste Tracking is fast approaching, with Phase 1 launching on 1 October 2026 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, followed by Scotland on 2 January 2027. Jane and Alasdair explain that while there's still plenty of confusion across the sector, the Duty of Care system isn't changing – it's simply becoming digital. Their advice is to make sure you're already recording the required statutory information, start collecting it digitally if you haven't already, and familiarise yourself with DEFRA's upload process before the deadlines arrive. They also discuss some of the practical challenges smaller and remote sites may face. Think Again – Changing the Story of Waste Jane and Alasdair then take a deep dive into CIWM President Vicki Hughes' Think Again campaign, which aims to transform how people view careers in the waste and resources sector over the next decade. The campaign showcases the wide range of careers available across the industry and provides practical guidance for both job seekers and employers. Jane and Alasdair discuss why changing perceptions is key to attracting the next generation of talent and why the sector offers far more opportunities than many people realise. News Roundup Tartan Army praised for cleaning up after celebrations Jane and Alasdair celebrate the positive publicity surrounding Scotland's travelling fans after they were praised for leaving fan zones clean and litter-free. They agree that positive environmental stories deserve just as much attention as the negative ones. Nitrous oxide canisters cause £4.7 million of damage to waste facilities The pair discuss the growing problem of nitrous oxide canisters exploding inside bin lorries and waste facilities, causing injuries, equipment damage and significant downtime. They question why producers aren't taking greater responsibility for products that continue to create major risks for the waste industry. Could a £5 vape deposit improve recycling? Following calls from the Environmental Services Association for a refundable £5 deposit on vapes, Jane and Alasdair debate whether the proposal would actually work. While they welcome ideas to improve recycling rates, they also discuss the practical challenges retailers could face and whether stronger producer responsibility would be a better long-term solution. Rubbish Rant of the Week This week's rant returns to a familiar theme – the waste industry shouldn't be left to deal with society's problems on its own. Whether it's discarded vapes, lithium batteries or nitrous oxide canisters, Jane and Alasdair argue that producers need to take far greater responsibility for products that continue to cause fires, explosions and millions of pounds worth of damage across the UK's waste infrastructure. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Rubbish Talk. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.