Rubbish Talk Episode 47: James Piper, Non-Executive Director at Ecosurety

In this episode, we’re thrilled to sit down with James Piper, an inspiring environmental advocate and a familiar face in the UK recycling scene. Currently serving as a Non-Executive Director at Ecosurety, James has an impressive track record of leadership and environmental stewardship that spans over a decade.

 

James’ journey began with a degree in biology, sparked by his passion for the planet, the ocean, and all things nature. His environmental career truly took off when he joined Ecosurety—then called Budget Pack—in 2009 as one of their earliest employees. Through his dedication, James quickly rose through the ranks, eventually taking on the role of CEO in 2015. During his time at Ecosurety, James was instrumental in rebranding and growing the company, transforming it from a small team of seven to a thriving organisation with over 85 employees. Today, as a Non-Executive Director, James continues to steer Ecosurety toward a future where producer responsibility and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are at the forefront of sustainable business practices.

 

Not content to limit his impact to one organization, James also serves as the Chair of the environmental charity City to Sea, a Non-Executive Director at OPRL (the people behind those helpful recycle labels on packaging), and a trustee for a local housing association. Each role reflects his commitment to promoting recycling, consumer education, and a more sustainable future for all.

 

In 2022, James published The Rubbish Book, an insightful guide on recycling for everyday consumers. Frustrated by how many people struggle to recycle effectively, James wanted to empower individuals with clear, practical advice. Now, he’s taken his passion for recycling education even further launching the Talking Rubbish Podcast in August 2024. Each week, James dives into current trends, emerging issues, and fresh insights in the world of recycling, keeping listeners informed as we collectively work toward a greener planet.

 

James’ story isn’t just about professional success. After stepping down as CEO of Ecosurety in 2021, James and his wife took time to travel the world—a well-deserved break after years of hard work. Now back in the UK, James brings a refreshed perspective and a wealth of new ideas to his role as a Non-Executive Director.

 

When he’s not busy advocating for recycling or pushing for sustainability, James enjoys relaxing at home in Bristol, where he collects and builds LEGO sets.

 

For young professionals, James offers some powerful advice: “Join a small company and help it grow. There’s something deeply rewarding about being part of a small team and working together to transform a company. I have friends who joined big brands, and while they’ve enjoyed the experience, I’ve had a lot more fun watching Ecosurety evolve and expand.”

 

Looking to the future, James is focused on answering big questions about sustainable packaging and plans to tackle new projects that will further support both businesses and the environment.

 

Useful Links

Ecosurety Website

Talking Rubbish Podcast

James Piper Linked In Profile

 

Environmental News Updates

Councils in England to Get Revised Guidance on

‘Middle-Class Fly-Tipping’

In this episode, Jane and Alasdair discussed the crack down on so-called “middle-class fly-tipping.” Jane noted that many people leave things like chairs or tables outside their homes for neighbours to take, only to face fines from overzealous councils. Alasdair questioned the term “middle-class fly-tipping,” suggesting it hints at biased enforcement. Both agreed that councils could be more flexible, allowing items to be out for a short period before taking action. They emphasized that supporting community reuse is key and shouldn’t be punished unless it leads to long-term clutter.

 

What Really Happens to the Soft Plastics You Recycle?

Jane and Alasdair tackled the recent investigation by Everyday Plastics that placed trackers in soft plastic dropped off at supermarkets for recycling. Alasdair explained that shockingly, most of this plastic ends up incinerated instead of recycled. This issue, he noted, likely stems from a lack of UK facilities equipped to handle soft plastic, leaving supermarkets with few options. Jane expressed frustration, pointing out that customers dutifully collect and return plastics in good faith, only for them to end up burned. Alasdair added that since supermarkets backload these plastics for sorting at distribution centres, they should know where the waste goes. The bigger problem, however, is the missing infrastructure and market for recycling soft plastics—yet another reminder that collecting plastic isn’t enough without a proper recycling pathway.

 

Eyesore at M90 Commerce Park Near Lathalmond:

Who’s Responsible?

Jane and Alasdair discussed the massive 30-foot-high waste pile at M90 Commerce Park near Lathalmond, weighing 7,000 tonnes, which has remained untouched for a decade due to ongoing disputes between SEPA and the site owners over clean up costs. Jane noted that the site has become a hotspot for more dumping and found it frustrating that while small-scale fly-tippers face immediate fines, massive dumps like this one linger for years. Alasdair suggested that the main issue is likely financial; until someone steps up to pay, the site will remain in limbo. Both agreed that there’s a clear imbalance in how waste is managed, with large sites like this often caught up in endless legal wrangling while communities continue to suffer the eyesore.

 

Waste Regulations 2012 Under Review:

SEPA Wants Your Views

Alasdair brought up SEPA’s recent survey aimed at assessing compliance with the Waste Scotland Regulations 2012, which require businesses generating over 5kg of food waste weekly to have separate waste collections for materials like glass, metal, plastic, and paper. He pointed out that the survey itself lacks clarity on the legislation details, making it tough for waste operators to provide accurate feedback. Alasdair suggested that SEPA should survey not only waste operators but also the businesses producing the waste. He identified that enforcement actions have been few, if any, since the rules were introduced in 2014. Both Jane and Alasdair agreed that regulatory enforcement needs to improve to ensure that these regulations have a meaningful impact.

 

October 14th is International E-Waste Day

As International E-Waste Day approaches on October 14th, Alasdair and Jane were excited to talk about Albion staff doing their part by bringing in any old electrical items to be collected and responsibly recycled by CCL.

Click here to listen to Episode 19 with Bruce Mclean from CCL North.  Alasdair noted that E-Waste is a growing problem, with so many gadgets getting replaced every year. Jane added that it’s great to see companies getting involved to help address the E-Waste challenge.

 

They also mentioned that The UK Vaping Industry has announced a “Sustainable Vaping Week” to coincide with E-Waste Day, which both Jane and Alasdair found ironic given that over 90% of UK vape producers and retailers fail to meet environmental regulations. Alasdair mentioned that Scott Butler from Episode 15, a frequent critic of the industry, highlights examples of disposable vapes with bizarre features like built-in screens for online betting. Alasdair argued that instead of a themed week, the industry should focus on meeting existing e-waste regulations.

 

Albion News

Resourcing Scotland Conference, November 14th 2024

The Resourcing Scotland Conference will take place on November 14, 2024, uniting key organizations to address the needs of the Waste Management Industry. Participants include the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM), Resource Management Association Scotland (RMAS), Scottish Environmental Services Association (CESA), Renewable Energy Association (REA), and Waste Management Network (WMN).

 

The conference aims to highlight career opportunities in Waste Management, with 20 free spots sponsored for young people by RMAS and Albion.

 

Alasdair Meldrum and Simon Glenn from Episode 7 and Episode 28 will open the event, followed by an interactive discussion where younger attendees will interview Alasdair. With limited free places left, the conference is expected to sell out quickly, making it a valuable opportunity for those in the industry.

 

Deadline for Tickets is Friday 11th October, click here to buy now!

 

Exciting Updates from Rubbish Talk

We’re excited to announce the creation of the Rubbish Talk Strava Club! This club will allow you to join us on your runs, walks, and cycles while listening to our podcast. Hopefully this will encourage our listeners to stay active whilst tuning into insightful interviews and actionable tips to contribute to a more sustainable future!

 

As we approach our milestone 50th episode, we want to do something special. We’re inviting one of our loyal listeners to do a 60 second section to introduce the 50th podcast! If you’re interested, please drop us an email at hello@rubbishtalk.co.uk

We can’t wait to hear from you!

 

Rubbish Talk is evolving! We’ve launched our own social media channels on Facebook and Linked In, where we’ll gradually shift all Rubbish Talk posts from the Albion feeds. If you haven’t already, be sure to give us a follow to stay updated on all things Rubbish Talk.

 

Spotlight on Gray Recycling and Port Soy’s Peaky Blinders Connection

Alasdair Meldrum recently visited Gray Composting Services, a remarkable recycling company operated by Charles Gray in Port Soy. Known for its innovative approach, Gray Composting Services composts food waste and applies it to land where they grow barley for the distillery industry and grow seed potatoes for export round the world.

 

During his visit, Alasdair was impressed by Gray’s advanced potato sorting machine, which automatically grades potatoes based on size and bud count by taking 70 photographs as they rotate. Though the facility was not yet in full production, the technology showcased the company’s commitment to sustainability and efficiency.

 

Additionally, Alasdair explored Port Soy’s connection to the popular series Peaky Blinders. He discovered a memorial wall dedicated to the show, where one of the main characters met their end in an explosion.

Click here to see pictures from Port Soy.

 

We would love feedback from our listeners!

We are always eager for guest suggestions, general feedback as well as spreading the word about Rubbish Talk to friends, family, colleagues and others to help us reach a wider audience.

 

Upcoming Training Courses!

HWRC – Household Waste Recycling Centre Operators Course

📅 Wednesday 23rd October 2024

1 Day REHIS – Introduction to Waste Management Legislation Course
📅 6th November 2024

2 Day REHIS – Working with Waste Management Legislation Course
📅 19th – 20th November 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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