Rubbish Talk Episode 44: Neil Duncan, Chief Operating Officer at Clearwater Ltd.

In Episode 44 of the Rubbish Talk Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Neil Duncan, the Chief Operating Officer at Clearwater Ltd, a forward-thinking waste management service provider based in Glasgow. Neil’s journey from the railway industry to becoming a key figure in waste management is both inspiring and insightful, offering valuable lessons for anyone interested in the future of waste management.

 

Clearwater Ltd. isn’t your typical waste management company. Rather than simply handling waste, Clearwater provides specialised services in partnership with other waste managers and the broader industry. Their expertise ranges from managing special waste divisions to providing CCTV drainage repair and surveys. They also offer unique services like cleaning energy-from-waste(EFW) facilities and deploying emergency rescue teams.

 

One of the key philosophies at Clearwater is sustainability. Neil explains that they strive to minimise the waste that leaves their sites by reusing materials as much as possible. When reuse isn’t feasible, they collaborate with companies that can repurpose these materials, ensuring that nothing goes to waste unnecessarily.

 

Neil’s path into the waste industry was unexpected. Starting his career in the railway industry, dealing with trains and coal, he transitioned into waste management in 1999. This shift was driven by a passion for problem-solving and a belief that people are the key to addressing challenges within the sector. Over the years, Neil has worked on various projects, including local authority initiatives where he helped improve operational efficiency. These experiences, though challenging, were among the most rewarding of his career.

 

Looking ahead, Neil sees vast opportunities in the waste industry, particularly in the areas of networking and professional qualifications. He emphasises the importance of continuous learning and development, noting that Clearwater Ltd. is heavily invested in staff training. From qualifications in confined space work to emergency rescue, Clearwater is committed to ensuring their team is highly skilled and prepared for any challenge.

 

For those just starting out in the waste industry, Neil has some straightforward yet powerful advice: be transparent, be yourself, and never hesitate to ask questions. He stresses that success is not just about intelligence; it’s about hard work, a positive attitude, and the determination to keep learning and growing.

 

Useful Links

Clearwater Website

Clearwater Linked In

Clearwater Facebook

 

Environmental News Updates

The Tragedy in Uganda: Landfill Collapse Claims 21 Lives

A devastating landfill collapse in Uganda has tragically taken 21 lives, highlighting the dangers of towering waste piles. These unstable landfills are further compromised by the mix of leachate from organic waste and soft plastics. This incident underscores the urgent need for improved waste management practices in developing countries.

 

Wales’ Landfill Disposals Tax: Consultation on Lower Rate

Wales is seeking public input on the lower rate of landfill disposals tax, currently set at £3.30 per tonne. The consultation also covers the standard rate of £103.70 per tonne for legal waste disposal and the unauthorised rate of £155.55 per tonne, which is unique to Wales and applies to illegal waste disposal. The consultation is open until September 15, 2024.

 

The Royal Mint Extracts Gold from Electronic Waste

The Royal Mint has begun processing electronic waste at its new industrial plant in Llantrisant, Wales, to extract gold from old circuit boards. Initially, the recovered gold is being used to create jewellery, with plans to eventually craft commemorative coins from it.

 

The Realities of Waste Work: “I Can’t Say on Camera”

Rab O’Neill, a street cleansing worker in Edinburgh for 34years, shares his experiences in a BBC Scotland News segment. While he enjoys his job, Rab describes it as physically demanding, with up to 220 bins to empty each day. He notes that there are often unexpected and unspeakable surprises in his line of work.

 

Bromley Street Cleaner Denied Public-Funded Holiday, Wins Trip Instead

Paul Spiers, a beloved street cleaner in Beckenham, southeast London, was prevented from accepting £3,000 raised by the public to send him on holiday due to a contract clause with his employer, Veolia. However, a travel agent awarded him a free trip to Portugal through a holiday competition. The fundraiser was initiated by Lisa Knight, a local estate agent who bonded with Paul over their mutual love of Elvis Presley.

 

Why do plastic bottles have such annoying caps now?

The EU introduced a policy which has changed plastic bottles. As part of their effort to drive down single use plastic waste, drinks bottles will come with attached lids. “Tethered caps”, as they are known and will be mandatory by summer. Although they may be annoying, the goal is to ensure that both bottle and lid are recycled.

More information on the regulations can be found here.

 

Soft Plastics in Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR) Disrupt Sorting Technology

Government and council initiatives are encouraging the inclusion of soft plastics in dry mixed recyclate (DMR), but this is causing significant issues. Soft plastics can obscure bottles and interfere with sorting technology, leading to inefficiencies in the recycling process. This disruption highlights the need for careful consideration of the materials included in recycling streams.

 

Albion News

Resourcing Scotland Event – November 2024

This is a new event for the waste and recycling industry, organised jointly by ESA/SESA, CIWM (Scotland), RMAS, REA and the Local Authority Waste Managers and Officers Network.

Taking place on Thursday 14th November at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, the overarching theme for the conference is Operationalising Policy, focusing on the key topical issues for the industry with participation by sector experts.

 

Congratulations to all students on their recent exam results!

Remember, there’s no wrong path—every journey is unique. If you’re interested in exploring a rewarding career in the waste sector, we’re here to help guide you. Get in touch with us to learn more about the exciting opportunities available in our industry. Be sure to listen to our podcast, where each of our guests shares their journeys throughout the waste sector, offering valuable insights and inspiration.

 

Stay tuned! Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing some exciting news that we can’t wait to reveal!

Make sure to keep listening, as there’s a lot coming soon that you won’t want to miss!

We put a lot of time and effort into creating this podcast, and we hope you’re enjoying it as much as we enjoy making it. If you do, we’d greatly appreciate it if you could return the favour by liking, commenting, and sharing. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing you valuable content. Thank you for all your support!

 

Upcoming Webinar: Targeted Waste Composition Analysis (WCA)

Join us on Thursday, 12th September 2024, for an exclusive webinar where we’ll dive into the power of targeted Waste Composition Analysis(WCA)!

If you are working towards Zero Waste, this webinar is for you! Let Albion guide you to sustainable practices that deliver both immediate impact and long-term success.

Reserve your spot today and lead the change toward a sustainable future!

 

Upcoming Training Courses!

 

Asbestos Awareness Course

Thursday 26th September 2024

 

HWRC – Household Waste Recycling Centre Operators Course

Wednesday 23rd October 2024

 

Have you had a look at our Tik Tok Account yet?

We have recently introduced a fortnightly video called “Meet the Team Monday” where we interview our staff and to find out their job roles, favourite part about their job, favourite/funny memory and a “which colleague is most likely to…” question to add some humour. Make sure to follow us and check out our videos.

 

Help us spread the word about the Rubbish Talk Podcast!

Your support helps us reach a wider audience and continue to provide valuable content on waste management and sustainability.

 

Additionally, if you have any guest suggestions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, we’d love to hear from you!

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your ideas and recommendations. Together, let’s make a positive impact in the waste management community. Thank you for your support!

 

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