This week on Rubbish Talk, Alasdair is joined by Connor Benton and Serena Powell from Go4Greener, a Derby-based hazardous waste company specialising in everything from commodity recycling and WEEE to hazardous waste treatment and innovative new technologies.

The conversation explores the wide range of activities carried out at Go4Greener, including hazardous waste handling, WEEE dismantling, and their exciting new Advetec aerobic digestion system, which is being used to process offensive hygiene waste such as nappies and sanitary products into SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel) as an alternative to fossil fuels.

Serena explains her role as both site chemist and site manager, covering everything from hazardous waste testing and classification to operations, health and safety, and customer site visits. She shares how she originally studied chemistry without ever considering the waste sector as a career option, before taking a chance on a hazardous waste role near home — and quickly realising just how varied and interesting the industry could be.

Connor, now Technical Director, also entered the sector by accident through an apprenticeship, before becoming fascinated by the complexity and scale of the waste industry. Together, they discuss how waste management offers a huge variety of career paths, combining technical knowledge, operations, logistics, compliance and commercial work all within one industry.

One of the main topics of the episode is Go4Greener’s new Advetec XL22 system. The technology uses an aerobic digestion process to treat offensive hygiene waste over a 72-hour period, reducing moisture content and converting the remaining material into SRF suitable for use in cement kilns. Connor explains how the process works, from shredding and adding a biological stimulant through to controlled heating and continuous monitoring of moisture levels and emissions.

The pair also discuss the challenges of bringing innovative technology into the waste sector, including the lengthy permitting process and the barriers companies can face when trying to introduce new ideas. Serena reflects on the experience of helping secure the permit for the Advetec plant, while Connor highlights the importance of regulators and industry working together to support innovation rather than automatically saying no to new approaches.

The discussion also touches on battery recycling, WEEE dismantling, and the growing concern around lithium batteries and vapes. Connor explains that while Go4Greener can safely collect and store many battery types, there are still limited treatment options within the UK, meaning a significant amount of waste continues to be exported overseas for processing.

Both guests reflect on the future of the industry and the importance of education — not just for the public, but also for students and young professionals who may never realise the opportunities available within the waste sector. Serena highlights that waste management was never mentioned during her chemistry degree, despite being an ideal career path for many science graduates looking for something more hands-on and varied.

A brilliant episode covering hazardous waste, innovation, recycling technology and careers in the sector — and a great insight into the people and processes helping drive the industry forward.