Trash Talk
Trash Talk is the podcast for people building a better future for waste and recycling.
It’s a space for honest conversations with the folks doing the work—operators, founders, engineers, and changemakers. We’re talking about what’s really going on in the industry. From new tech and tools to regulation headaches, biogas systems, C&D recycling, and everything in between.
Trash Talk isn’t just a podcast. It’s a growing community for people who care about doing things differently. If you’re in the sector or just curious about what goes on behind the bins, you’re in the right place.
Tune in, join the conversation, and subscribe to stay up-to date.
Trash Talk
From Bins to Boardrooms – David Palmer Jones OBE (#007)
Welcome to a special live edition of Trash Talk, filmed at ESS 2025 ♻️
In this episode we sit down with David Palmer Jones OBE, Founder of CIRQLR and former CEO of SUEZ UK, to unpack a 40 year journey that has helped shape the modern circular economy.
From an unexpected start on the bins to leading one of Europe’s biggest environmental transformations, David shares the leadership lessons, cultural shifts, and bold decisions that defined his career and what it takes to turn vision into impact.
We cover:
• How “No More Waste” became a defining vision at SUEZ
• The cultural contrasts of leading teams across Europe
• Why circularity still makes up only 7 percent of the global economy
• The biggest myths and trade offs in circular innovation
• The leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship with CIRQLR
• What the next generation of leaders must do differently
Filmed live at ESS 2025, this episode goes beyond policy talk, revealing what real leadership looks like when purpose meets persistence.
Massive thanks to David Palmer Jones OBE for joining us live and sharing his story of leadership, transformation, and circular innovation.