In this insightful episode of Rubbish Talk, we dive into the world of infrastructure and public service with Tom Reid, Head of Infrastructure at East Lothian Council. With 34 years of experience, Tom shares his journey through the complexities of public service, from early roles in social work to his present responsibilities overseeing Transport and Waste Services, Roads Services, Facilities Management, Sport Leisure and Countryside Services, Engineering Services, and the Strategic Asset Capital Plan for East Lothian—a region experiencing rapid growth and significant funding challenges.
Tom’s career path is both unexpected and inspiring. He began with a design degree from Napier University, graduating during a recession, which led him to a temporary role driving social work ambulances. That job fostered his connection with East Lothian schools and eventually guided him into public service roles. With encouragement from his father, a senior environmental health officer, Tom transitioned into waste management, a decision he credits as life changing. “That meeting changed my life,” he recalls, marking the start of a career devoted to bettering his community through innovative waste and infrastructure strategies.
East Lothian, one of Scotland’s fastest-growing regions, now serves over 54,000 households with a population exceeding 120,000. But rapid growth has come without equivalent funding increases. Despite being one of the lowest-funded councils in Scotland, East Lothian continues to develop critical infrastructure, with Tom’s team tackling everything from waste logistics to road maintenance and winter emergencies. “We’ve been 15 years in austerity now,” he notes, explaining that budgets have decreased even as responsibilities have expanded.
The constraints demand constant resourcefulness. He commends the dedication of his staff, who regularly go above and beyond to maintain essential services for the community, a commitment often overlooked by the public.
Under Tom’s guidance, East Lothian has taken a proactive approach to waste management, encouraging residents to view waste as a resource. By educating people on the value of recyclables, the council can offset costs and even generate revenue. “If you throw away a piece of cardboard, I might be getting £30, £40 a tonne,” he explains, highlighting the economic potential of responsible waste sorting.
Tom emphasizes that managing waste effectively requires a community effort. “We’re an integral partner, but we’re the end partner,” he says, urging people to take ownership of their consumption and disposal habits.
Passionate about the field, Tom encourages young people to consider careers in waste and infrastructure. He sees tremendous opportunity in the industry for those interested in environmental work, logistics, and community service. His advice is simple: “Jump and grab every opportunity. When you get a chance, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid of the term ‘waste industry.’ It’s a phenomenal industry with endless opportunities.”
In a world where public service can often be underappreciated, Tom’s story is a reminder of the dedication and resilience that goes into maintaining essential community services. He urges listeners to consider the hard work that goes into their local infrastructure and the real people behind it, many of whom live in the same communities they serve. Tom’s parting message resonates deeply: “Try and understand what people are trying to deliver for you and try and appreciate it.”
Tune into Rubbish Talk Episode 49 to hear more of Tom Reid’s inspiring journey and insights into the challenges and rewards of leading infrastructure in East Lothian.
Useful Links
Environmental News Updates
10 Years Since Scotland’s Single-Use Carrier Bag Charge
Jane and Alasdair reflect on the 10-year milestone since Scotland’s single-use carrier bag charge was introduced, noting how the policy has driven a remarkable reduction in plastic bag usage, with an estimated 650million fewer bags in circulation—a drop of around 80%. Alasdair recalls how litter from single-use bags used to plague landfills, often blowing away and creating widespread mess. Both agree that the switch to reusable bags, though requiring multiple uses to be sustainable, has become a habit. They both admit to keeping reusable bags on hand, though they sometimes forget them, prompting a last-minute search in the car. For them, the small charge on plastic bags has become a clear example of how simple policies can lead to lasting environmental benefits.
Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: New UK Legislation
Alasdair and Jane discuss the recent legislation passed by the UK government on October 24th, enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. Alasdair highlights that EPR, now in law, places greater accountability on producers to manage the lifecycle of their packaging. For listeners who want a clear breakdown, Alasdair recommends Episode 47 with guest James Piper, whose explanation of EPR was so straightforward that they referred to it as “Extended Producer Responsibility for Dummies.” Jane agrees, saying Piper’s insights make the complex topic accessible to everyone.
Government Moves to Restrict Single-Use Vapes
Scotland’s Response to Single-Use Vape Concerns
Jane and Alasdair revisit the issue of single-use vapes, noting the UK government’s new regulations coming into effect in England in June 2025, alongside a similar Scottish policy set for April 2025. While they appreciate these aligned efforts, Alasdair predicts that vape manufacturers may sidestep the ban by tweaking products to extend their lifespan beyond single-use classifications. Jane agrees, observing how profitable and ubiquitous these vapes have become and wondering if the industry will find new loopholes. Alasdair also notes that the government will begin taxing vape liquids from next year, sparking a debate on whether vaping is truly healthier than smoking. Both see the tax as a logical move to address health impacts, but Alasdair wonders if taxing vapes will prompt some people to reconsider their habits.
Scotland’s Recycling Rate Reaches Record High
Jane and Alasdair discussed the latest waste and recycling statistics from SEPA, noting that Scotland generated 10.16 million tonnes of waste in 2023, with recycling rates reaching a record high of 62.3%. Household waste, at 2.3 million tonnes, decreased slightly by 1.1% from 2022, marking the lowest recorded level since 2011. Alasdair, however, questioned whether this reduction reflects genuine decreases in waste or improved data tracking. Given increased housebuilding and rising waste bins weights, he remains sceptical about an actual drop in waste volumes.
They also pointed out that while the household waste reduction is promising, the majority of Scotland’s waste still stems from the construction sector, influenced by the cyclic nature of large projects. Alasdair teased his upcoming presentation at the Resource Scotland Live Webinar, where he plans to delve deeper into interpreting waste data and highlight opportunities to tackle specific waste streams strategically, such as food waste, which remains a major focus area.
Albion News
50th Episode– Last Call for Introductions!
Rubbish Talk listeners, we’re reaching a major milestone with our upcoming 50th episode! To mark the occasion, we’re inviting all of you to get involved by submitting your intros to be featured in this special edition.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, 8th of November – so be quick!
For submissions, please email: hello@rubbishtalk.co.uk
Join the Albion Strava Club Challenge!
Looking for a fun way to get active this November? Rubbish Talk Strava Club has launched a “10 minutes for 10 days” challenge this November to get everyone moving. Whether you’re walking, running, or cycling, aim for at least ten minutes of activity each day for ten days.
Only paid Strava members can officially join the challenge, but all club members can track their activities and join the fun! Jane suggests a twist: count how many littered single use vapes you spot along the way.
And don’t forget to follow Rubbish Talk on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates, community chats, and extra motivation. Get moving with us!
It is easy to do:
Download the Strava App
Find and Join the Rubbish Talk Club
Track your activities on Strava
These will automatically by recorded under the Rubbish Talk Club
Attention to all Amazon Podcast Listeners!
We’re excited to share that Rubbish Talk is now available on Amazon Prime! If you enjoy listening on this platform, we’d love for you to check us out there. If there are any other platforms where you’d like to hear our podcast and we’re not available yet, please let us know. We appreciate your support!
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!
2 Day REHIS – Working with Waste Management Legislation Course 
Tuesday 10th – Wednesday 11th December 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!