Welcome to Episode 54 of the Rubbish Talk Podcast! 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.
Gordon’s interest in waste management began during his studies at the Scottish Agricultural College when a visit to the Greengairs landfill sparked his curiosity about waste operations. He later joined Barr Environmental, where he gained hands-on experience in landfill operations, environmental monitoring, and construction. His career then took him to England, working in various roles with FCC before joining Veolia, where he now oversees public sector strategies and waste services for local authorities. Gordon is involved in everything from bidding for contracts to managing the development of new facilities, focusing on the changing landscape of recycling and resource management.
Veolia, with over 218,000 employees globally, has a broad mission beyond traditional waste services. The company is also involved in energy recovery, hazardous waste management, and even nuclear submarine decommissioning. A major challenge in the industry today is adapting recycling systems to handle new materials, such as flexible plastics. Chemical recycling technology is still in its early stages, but Gordon is hopeful that with continued development, these challenges can be addressed.
The waste industry has evolved significantly over the years, with the introduction of landfill tax and the rise of energy-from-waste technologies. As local authorities work to meet net-zero targets and improve recycling rates, the pace of change remains rapid. Gordon’s optimism for the future of waste management is clear, as he believes that embracing technological advancements and continuous learning will be key to tackling the sector’s challenges.
Outside of work, Gordon is passionate about sustainability. He serves as a trustee for the Restart Project, an initiative focused on reducing electronic waste through repair and reuse. This project advocates for the right to repair and supports efforts like repair cafes, where people can learn to fix their appliances. Gordon also enjoys spending time with his family, cooking (especially barbecues!), and traveling. His adventures in India and Sri Lanka have given him unique insights into waste management challenges abroad.
Looking to the future, Gordon encourages young people to enter the waste management industry. With so much change happening in the sector, he believes there are abundant opportunities for newcomers to make a difference by staying updated on new technologies and embracing the challenges ahead.
Don’t miss this episode of Rubbish Talk Podcast for an inspiring discussion with Gordon Fergus, where we dive into the complex world of waste management and explore the path towards a more sustainable future.
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Useful Links 🔗
Gordon Fergus LinkedIn Profile
Environmental News Updates 🌍
Recycling Tea Bags – Are They Compostable?
In this week’s news, we dive into the ongoing debate about tea bags and whether or not they belong in your compost bin. Jane Bond discovered that many commercially available tea bags contain synthetic materials, like nylon and polypropylene, which don’t break down. However, Yorkshire Tea bags are compostable since they’re made from plant-based materials. As for Tetley tea, some of their bags are compostable, while others aren’t, depending on the specific product. The lesson? Always check the packaging! While Jane admits she won’t be tearing open her tea bags anytime soon, Alasdair decides to stick with coffee.
Click here to read our blog post: “Is Your Tea Bag Brewing More Than Just Tea? The Microplastic Dilemma”
Black Soldier Fly Farming – The Future of Waste Management?
Alasdair recently shared some fascinating news about MYGroup, based in Yorkshire, which plans to launch a Black Soldier Fly Farm. These flies consume waste and produce organic fertilizers, while their larvae are used in fish feed. But as Jane pointed out, the idea of flies escaping from the farm is a bit unsettling. Still, Alasdair remains intrigued, wondering how the planning applications for such an innovative venture are handled. Could this be the future of sustainable waste management?
Fire at Waste Site in Walsall – A Wake-Up Call?
Just when we thought we were past the wave of 2024’s incidents, we hear of yet another fire at a waste management site—this time in Walsall at a Biffa plant. Ten fire crews were on-site to fight the flames at the Aldridge facility. Jane was less than thrilled to hear about it while traveling down south, but she notes how frequent these fires are becoming. Hopefully, this serves as a reminder to improve safety measures at these critical sites.
Highland Council Scraps Incinerator Plans
Big news from Highland Council as they decided to scrap plans for a new incinerator after nearly two decades of planning. While local environmental groups are cheering, Jane and Alasdair questioned whether this decision might be more about “NIMBY” (Not In My Back Yard) sentiments than a sustainable waste solution. Alasdair highlighted the lack of waste management facilities in the Highlands, meaning waste still has to be transported all the way to Dunbar. Jane adds that it’s been a long-running issue—discussed as far back as the 1990s—and we’re still waiting for a viable solution in the area. Where do you stand?
The Lego Mystery – 27 Years Later, the Pieces Keep Coming
In a quirky twist, news emerges about the 5 million pieces of Lego lost in a 1997 shipping container spill off the coast of Cornwall. Jane and Alasdair were fascinated by how these tiny plastic pieces have been washing up all over the UK, from South West England to the Channel Islands, and even as far as the Netherlands and Norway! The wrecked container has provided valuable insights into ocean currents, but Jane can’t help but chuckle about the mysterious journey of these plastic toys. According to reports, only one of the 22,200 dark grey Lego sharks has been found so far. Will they ever find the rest? Keep an eye out when you visit the beach!
Albion News
Looking Ahead to Our 3rd Year!
The Rubbish Talk Podcast is gearing up for its third year, and we couldn’t be more excited about continuing to explore the complexities of the waste sector. Alasdair and Jane reflect on the journey so far and how they’ve worked to raise awareness around the critical issues facing the waste management world. Alasdair highlights a key point made by Kimberly Pratt from the Circle of Economy campaign, emphasising that while the public does play a role, it’s also about improving the infrastructure and systems in place. With engaging discussions and some rants thrown in for good measure, the goal remains the same, making the waste sector more understandable and accessible. Here’s to another year of thought-provoking conversations and engaging listeners!
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Rubbish Talk Strava: The Challenge Continues
The Rubbish Talk Strava challenge is picking up momentum! This month’s challenge is at least 20 minutes of activity for 20 days. Jane, however, admits the cold and rainy weather is making it a bit harder to get outside. But for those eager to track their progress and join in on the fun, just search for Rubbish Talk on Strava and start logging your activities. And the results from December are in—Alasdair took the victory, beating his brother into second place. Want to see how it’s done? Check out Alasdair’s top 10 running and race adventures on the Rubbish Talk Strava Club!
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2025 Training Courses Available Now!
REHIS – Introduction to Waste Management
📅 Thursday 17th April 2025
REHIS – Working with Waste Management Legislation Course
📅 Tuesday 11th – Wednesday 12th February 2025
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📅 Thursday 6th March 2025
📅 Wednesday 26th March 2025
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