This week on Rubbish Talk, we sit down with Charlotte Davies, Senior Consultant in Resource Efficiency and Circularity at Beyondly and the first Early Careers President for CIWM. Charlotte brings energy, humour, and expertise to a wide-ranging conversation about the future of waste, sustainability, and what it means to make a meaningful impact early in your career.
At Beyondly, Charlotte works across a broad range of consultancy projects—from packaging audits and recyclability reviews to detailed life cycle assessments (LCAs). As CIWM’s Early Careers President, she leads a national team of ambassadors aiming to make the sector more visible and accessible to those starting out. Her mission is to shift perceptions of the waste industry from afterthought to climate solution.
Her own entry into the sector was unplanned but driven by purpose. During her studies at the University of Leeds, Charlotte became increasingly climate-conscious and was drawn to Beyondly’s ethos after a friend recommended it. What began as curiosity about plastic types soon turned into full-on obsession—from collecting vapes off the street to leading office bin audits.
A highlight of the conversation is Charlotte’s advocacy for making waste part of the broader climate conversation. She points out that while we often focus on energy and renewables, a huge portion of emissions comes from the products we consume. Waste isn’t just what happens at the end of the line — it’s tied to how we design, use, and reuse resources. Through her CIWM work, Charlotte is determined to elevate the profile of waste and resource management as a critical part of the journey toward net zero. From schools to universities to careers fairs, she’s encouraging the next generation to consider waste as a viable, impactful path within the sustainability movement.
Charlotte also talks about her involvement in Beyondly’s Fund for Change, which supports grass roots projects with 5% of company profits— and she encourages anyone with a great idea to apply before the end of August.
From bin audits and funny office finds to high-impact projects and sector-wide change, Charlotte’s story is both inspiring and grounded. If you’re passionate about sustainability or just curious about how waste fits into the bigger picture, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.
Useful Links 🔗
David Greenfield’s President Report
Environmental News Updates 🌍
£150m NESS Energy from Waste facility temporarily closes
Big news from the northeast: the £150 million NESS Energy from Waste facility in Aberdeen has temporarily shut down due to ongoing technical issues. Jane flagged the closure as especially significant, since the site processes waste from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray—around 100,000 tonnes annually. The operator, Indaver, has now walked away, raising serious questions about where that waste will go, especially with the Scottish landfill ban looming. Alasdair pointed out this only deepens Scotland’s looming capacity crunch, which has been a theme in previous episodes. Both agree: with biodegradable waste bans approaching, EfW plants need to be reliable — and this kind of disruption couldn’t come at a worse time.
Biffa opens 150,000-tonne ‘zero to landfill’ Scottish waste site
Jane and Alasdair reflect on the opening of Biffa’s new site in Inverness, which promises to process up to 150,000 tonnes of waste annually. While it’s hailed as a step forward for “zero to landfill” in the Highlands, Alasdair questions just how local the solution really is—highlighting that much of the waste is still being shipped down to Glasgow. Both agree it’s a positive move, but it also underscores the ongoing need for more regional infrastructure across the Highlands and beyond to avoid excessive transport and reduce carbon footprints.
Waste company fined over £50,000 for ignoring audit at Notts site
Jane dives into this case from Nottinghamshire where a waste company was fined£52,405.05—yes, exactly five pence—for failing to provide audit information requested by the Environment Agency. She found the oddly specific fine amount amusing, while Alasdair wondered if it was the result of some arcane calculation. They both point out how crucial compliance and transparency are—not just in physical waste handling, but in the management and communication side of regulation.
PSNI declares ‘major incident’ over removal of bonfire material in south Belfast
The Belfast bonfires left both Alasdair and Jane both stunned and concerned. These towering pallet stacks, built for traditional July celebrations, raised eyebrows due to their sheer size and the environmental and safety risks involved. Alasdair was stunned at the volume of valuable CHEP pallets (worth up to £20 each) being torched, while Jane questioned how such massive burns could possibly align with waste regulations. With asbestos, high fire risk, and proximity to vital infrastructure all in play, the pair agree the tradition may need a serious rethink before next year’s season.
Albion News
Rubbish Talk Revamp: Weekly, Shorter, and Back to Basics
Rubbish Talk is getting a refresh! Starting next week, the podcast will move toa weekly format, with shorter, more focused episodes that aim to educate and engage people beyond the waste and resources sector. The team has heard your feedback—sometimes things get a bit too technical—and Jane and Alasdair are determined to strip it back and make waste more understandable, accessible, and even entertaining for everyone.
Episodes will still go out every Thursday at 4pm, and while there’ll still be one guest a month, the style is changing. Each week will centre on a key topic, explained in simple terms with just the right amount of expert insight. The first in the new format is titled “Reduce the Waste You Produce”, kicking off a return to basics with practical advice and honest chat. You can also look forward to regular features like Rubbish Rants and Weekly News Roundups, keeping you up to date on what’s happening in the world of waste.
This revamp isn’t just about changing the podcast—it’s about changing how we talk about waste. Whether you work in the sector or not, if you care about the environment and want to understand how everyday choices matter, this new series is for you. And yes, Rubbish Talk now has its own TikTok Account, so give us a follow for even more rubbish talk!
Get Moving: Join the Rubbish Talk Strava Club
The Rubbish Talk Strava club is the perfect way to stay motivated and explore new routes—whether you’re tackling mountain trails or just sneaking in a quick walk. Lace up your trainers, catch up on Rubbish Talk episodes and stay tuned for weekly leaderboard posts!
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