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Redefining Plastics Podcast

In a recent Plastics podcast, Susan Staff, the Commercial Director of Aylesbury Granulation, discusses her journey in the recycling industry and the challenges faced by small recycling companies in the UK in a recent Plastics podcast. Aylesbury Granulation, which Susan describes as possibly the smallest plastic recycling company in the UK, specialises in recycling segregated post-industrial rigid plastics. The business processes materials such as buckets, pallets, and end-of-life wheelie bins into usable reground plastic, preventing them from ending up in landfills. Passionate about reducing waste and the importance of recycling, Susan often advocates for sustainability and educates others on the value of plastics in daily life, despite the material’s unfairly negative perception. She highlights the complexity of recycling systems, consumer misconceptions, and the need for better understanding of plastic’s essential role in areas like food safety, healthcare, and transportation.

Plastics podcast
During the conversation, Susan shared her personal and professional experiences, shedding light on the volatile nature of the recycling industry. She explained how market fluctuations, such as the decline in demand for recycled content in 2024, pose significant challenges, particularly for smaller businesses. Despite these hurdles, Susan remains committed to finding innovative solutions for recycling materials and promoting reuse.
Beyond her work, she embraces sustainability in her personal life, from sourcing secondhand gifts to reducing consumption. She emphasized the importance of thoughtful consumer choices and the necessity of addressing overconsumption, which drives waste. Susan’s insights reflect her dedication to fostering a more sustainable world through recycling and advocacy for better industry practices.