In episode 64 of Rubbish Talk, we sit down with Guy MacGregor, Business Development Director at Binn Group, one of Scotland’s leading waste management and recycling companies. Guy takes us behind the scenes of Binn Group’s impressive operations, sharing how the company has grown over the years and how they’re pushing the boundaries in sustainable waste management.
One of the highlights of Binn Group’s operations is their eco park in Glenfarg. This innovative site brings together multiple waste management and recycling processes, including wood recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, and fridge recycling. Guy talks about the facilities, including how they turn waste wood into biomass fuel and process food waste through anaerobic digestion. One of their standout features is their GAP ALBA Plant, which now operates entirely on renewable power, a significant step toward reducing their carbon footprint. The team at Binn Group is also looking ahead, with plans for an energy-from-waste facility and a hydrogen facility in the works.
Guy’s journey into the waste industry started young, growing up on a farm where his family had a landfill site. After the landfill closed, his family pivoted to waste management and recycling, and Guy found himself helping out from a young age. From sweeping floors in the workshop at 12 years old to driving skip lorries and operating heavy machinery, Guy’s early experiences on the ground gave him invaluable insights into the waste management industry. As he grew, so did his role, and now as Business Development Director, Guy is heavily involved in driving the company’s expansion plans, both in terms of geographical reach and operational capacity.
Looking forward, Guy has ambitious plans for the future of Binn Group. The company has recently acquired a site in Inverness, expanding its reach across the Highlands and Islands and positioning itself for further growth. One of Guy’s main goals is to continue growing the eco park and to ensure that all waste processes are handled locally, reducing the need for long-distance transportation. He’s also passionate about increasing the recycling capabilities of the park, aiming for a future where every waste stream—whether it’s glass, metal, or plasterboard—can be processed on-site.
As Guy shares, the waste industry is constantly evolving, and he encourages younger generations to get involved. “There’s always going to be waste. If you want a secure, long-term career, the waste industry is a great place to be,” he says. His advice to younger people? “Get involved, and don’t listen to the old grumpy voices saying it’s all too hard—this industry is changing, and there’s plenty of room to grow.”
Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Guy MacGregor as he talks about the past, present, and future of Binn Group, and gives his honest take on what it’s really like to work in the waste management industry. From his hands-on experience to his business development goals, this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in the world of waste and recycling.
Useful Links 🔗
Binn Group acquires R Finnie Skip Hire in Inverness
Environmental News Updates 🌍
Aberdeenshire Council Saves £2 Million a Year by Introducing Orange Bins
In exciting news, Aberdeenshire Council has introduced orange-lidded bins for mixed recycling, including metals, cans, and food/drink cartons. This initiative has helped the council save £2 million annually and improved their recycling rate by 2.8%. However, Jane and Alasdair agree that there’s still much work to be done, particularly with food waste still ending up in residual bins. Councillor Alan Turner also highlights that despite this progress, further improvements can be made to optimise recycling and reduce contamination. Tune in to hear more on how improving waste management can make a significant impact.
Vape Crisis Will Not End After Ban, Warns Material Focus
With the ban on disposable vapes coming into effect on June1st, many are wondering if this will be enough to tackle the growing e-waste crisis. Alasdair and Jane discuss the recent push for larger vapes that last longer, still contributing millions of single-use devices to the waste stream. Material Focus has raised concerns that this may not solve the problem, and many shops are pushing sales with “fire sales” to offload existing stock. Alasdair also highlighted a key point from Scott Butler’s webinar on the topic—while the ban is a step in the right direction, it may not be a complete fix.
670,000 Tonnes of Furniture Discarded in the UK Each Year
A staggering 670,000 tonnes of furniture are discarded in the UK each year, with young people aged 16-24 replacing their furniture monthly! Jane and Alasdair discuss how this contributes to the growing waste problem and the challenges of selling or donating used items. They also talk about the “hassle factor” that prevents many from recycling their old furniture and the environmental consequences of such waste. From sofas to coffee tables, the furniture industry’s contribution to waste is massive.
Man Charged in Connection with 27-Tonne Fly-Tipping Incident
In Lichfield, a man has been charged following a massive fly-tipping incident that saw 27 tonnes of waste illegally dumped, blocking access to residents and businesses. The clean up cost the taxpayer nearly £10,000! Alasdair and Jane discuss the impact of fly-tipping on local communities and the growing number of waste crime incidents in England. With over 17,000 waste crime reports in 2023-2024, the issue is clearly on the rise. This highlights the need for better enforcement and solutions to the cost of waste disposal.
GAP ALBA Officially Opens Fridge Recycling Facility at
Binn Eco Park
A huge step forward in recycling as GAP ALBA officially opened a new fridge recycling facility at Binn Eco Park, with the ceremony attended by Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney. This new facility will help process thousands of fridges daily, cutting down on the carbon footprint by recycling locally instead of sending them abroad. Alasdair shares his thoughts on the impressive project and the progress it represents for Binn Group’s eco park. If you’re interested in learning more about the facility, checkout episode39 featuring Nigel Tomlinson from GAP Group!
Laura Young on BBC Radio 5 Live
We’re thrilled to hear that Laura Young from episode 17, who was instrumental in pushing the ban on disposable vapes, was recently featured on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Happy Hour show! Laura gave a shout-out to the My Bins app, which helps users recycle more effectively. If you haven’t heard Laura’s episode on Rubbish Talk, it’s a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainability and how individuals can drive change in the industry!
Albion News
Alasdair Appeared on the Business Spotlight Podcast
Alasdair recently made an appearance on the Business Spotlight Podcast, where he chatted with Javier Peralta about his journey in the waste management sector. Starting in 2002, Alasdair helped build Albion Environmental into one of the UK’s leading specialists in waste management. Tune in to hear Alasdair discuss his career, the challenges and opportunities in waste management, and his vision for the future of the industry.
Mia & Helanna Attend the South Ayrshire Careers Fair
Last week, Mia and Helanna from our team attended the South Ayrshire Careers Fair at Ayr Town Hall, introducing Primary 7 students to the diverse world of waste management! They brought along one of our podcast microphones to explain just how varied the industry is, from technical work to Marketing roles. The kids got a hands-on look at how exciting and rewarding the waste sector can be!
Rubbish Talk on TikTok!
We’re now posting Rubbish Talk clips with visuals on our existing TikTok page, as well as on LinkedIn and Facebook! Previously, we were audio-only, but with these short clips, you can now watch the discussions along with the audio. Be sure to like, share and follow us for all the latest updates and insights from the podcast!
We’re on YouTube!
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Rubbish Talk Strava Club: The Challenge Continues
The Rubbish Talk Strava challenge is picking up momentum! This month’s challenge is at least 25 minutes of activity for 25 days.
Sign up to the Rubbish Talk Strava Club Now!
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