Exploring the future of waste resource management | Environment Top 5

In this episode of EnvCast, we discuss the Environment Top 5 things to consider about waste resource management. We cover the circular economy, emissions trading, global plastics treaty, simpler recycling in England and our guests key takeaway for environmentalists.

This special resource management episode of EnvCast features two Chartered Environmentalists, Dr Jane Gilbert and Dr Adam Read MBE.

Speaker bios:
 Dr Jane Gilbert, Founder, Carbon Clarity 

Jane holds a first-class Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, a Doctorate in Biochemistry and a Master of Business Administration. She is a Fellow of the CIWM, is a Chartered Environmentalist, and an ISWA International Waste Manager. Jane was instrumental in establishing the European Compost Network, which she chaired for a number of years; she is currently vice-chair of the ISWA Scientific and Technical Committee. 

Jane has been involved in the waste and resources sector for over thirty years. She has experience in bio-waste recycling, standards and certification schemes having set up the UK certification scheme for reclaimed parts from end-of-life vehicles—recycling organics to soil, compostable/biodegradable packaging, waste management qualifications, and health and safety. 

Dr. Adam Read MBE, Chief External Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Suez UK 

Adam is a member of the Suez UK Management Board having joined the company in 2017 after a successful career in academia, local government and environmental consultancy spanning over 30 years. He was awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours List in June 2024 for his contribution to the evolution of the resources sector. 

He has co-led SUEZ’s engagement with Government on policy reforms facing our sector, working extensively with the sector trade body the ESA and sitting on environmental think tanks including the Aldersgate Group, the EIC and the Green Alliance’s Circular Economy Task Force on future policy, regulation and best practice guidance. He has also worked with numerous brands on preparing for the changes in packaging formats and collection systems in recent years, many of them with plastic or composite composition.

Extra resources:

www.carbon-clarity.com 

FAO Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability: A call for action: https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7856en 

ISWA report: https://www.iswa.org/biological-treatment-of-waste/?v=79cba1185463 

UNEP Composting Solid Organic Waste: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46840 

Standards and Regulations to Help Promote Circular Economy Practices in the Single-Use Plastics and Packaging Industry in Egypt: https://www.unido.org/plastic-circular-economy/our-publications

CIWM: https://www.ciwm.co.uk, 

SUEZ blogs: https://www.suez.co.uk/en-gb

DEFRA:  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

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