Overview

Join us for a special show and tell event including a tour of Ecosurety’s inspiring Bristol headquarters. We’ll tackle the unglamorous yet important issue of workplace recycling - what's effective, what's greenwashing, who's ultimately responsible and whether the UK’s commercial recycling system is fit for purpose.

Guests will be guided around the space by Sarah Pasquall, the project’s lead designer, alongside James Piper from Ecosurety who will share insights into the design strategies, process and fit-out of this distinctive workspace.

Then we'll move on to an engaging panel discussion focused on workplace recycling and waste management.

Effective recycling and waste management are essential to every workplace and facilities manager and critical to reducing environmental impact, particularly during office refurbishments and relocations.

The discussion will provide practical insights, address regulatory challenges and highlight innovative recycling and reuse solutions. Panellists will include James, host of the popular Talking Rubbish Podcast, and Will Ghali from Ecosurety, who will share experiences and outcomes from the fit-out project. They will be joined by Interaction’s CEO, Dieter Wood, and an environmental law expert for a non-rubbish debate.

Agenda

5:00 pm – Arrival and networking

5:30 pm – Guided office tour

• Led by Sarah Pasquall (Project Designer) and James Piper (Ecosurety)
• Insight into design decisions, sustainability measures, recycling solutions and reuse strategies integrated into the office fit-out

6:00 pm – Panel Discussion: "Rethinking Recycling"

• Key topics:
  • Compliance vs. real change
    • Are companies truly committed to sustainable waste management, or simply focused on avoiding legal or reputational risk?
  • Tenant vs. landlord responsibilities
    • Clarifying who should lead recycling efforts: the building owners, WFM teams, or the occupiers themselves?
  • Cost vs. sustainability
    • How do WFMs reconcile budget pressures against the costs associated with effective recycling and waste reduction strategies?
  • Innovative or unrealistic?
    • Exploring examples of cutting-edge recycling initiatives: are they practical for widespread adoption or just good PR?
  • Behavioural challenges
    • Discussing how WFMs can overcome staff apathy towards recycling and encourage genuine behavioural change.
  • Transparency and greenwashing
    • Is the commercial property sector guilty of overstating sustainability claims when it comes to recycling performance?
  • Recycling myths and realities
    • Are some recycling initiatives actually more harmful than beneficial (e.g., energy-intensive recycling processes)?
  • Circular Economy in office environments
    • How can Facilities Managers practically implement circular economy principles in their recycling and waste-management strategies?
  • Future regulatory risks
    • Anticipating future legislative pressures on recycling and waste reduction - how prepared are Facilities Managers?
  • Collaboration challenges
    • How can Facilities Managers better engage contractors, suppliers, and occupiers to genuinely improve recycling outcomes?

6:45 pm – Networking

7:00 pm – Close

There’ll be drinks, nibbles, and plenty to talk about. We’d love to see you there!

Sponsors

Interaction

• interaction.uk.com/

Interaction are experts in modern office design and fit-outs. They have been designing and building best-in-class workspaces for over 30 years, delivering Perfection at Pace. 

Speakers

Will Ghali

Chief Executive Officer, Ecosurety

Will Ghali is CEO of Ecosurety, responsible for leading the Ecosurety team and the strategic direction of the company. He ensures that we continue to deliver the highest level of transparency and service to our members whilst fulfilling our purpose to accelerate change towards an environmentally and socially sustainable world.

 

After graduating with a BSc in Management Sciences from the University of Warwick, Will started a career in marketing at Unilever before holding senior marketing roles in large, branded consumer goods businesses such as Reckitt Benckiser, PepsiCo and Associated British Foods, as well as smaller entrepreneurial businesses such as Cobra Beer. After a 20-year career in marketing, Will joined Clarks and spent a total of nine years in strategy, leadership and CEO roles, helping businesses such as Pukka Herbal Teas to grow and evolve.

Will is not only passionate about developing teams and enabling people to play to their strengths to improve the business, he is also driven to ensure that businesses are ethical and sustainable.

Outside work, Will loves being outdoors walking, cycling and playing tennis.

James Piper

Non-Executive Director, Ecosurety

James Piper is a dedicated environmental champion, currently serving as a Non-Executive Director at Ecosurety. With nearly five years of experience as the company’s CEO, James played a pivotal role in driving the development of innovative products and services that not only supported producers, but also championed positive change for UK recycling. He remains focused on creating a lasting, beneficial impact on both businesses and the environment.

A passionate advocate for consumer education, James is committed to helping the public recycle more effectively. In February 2022, he published The Rubbish Book, a comprehensive guide to recycling designed to empower individuals with practical knowledge. Building on the book's success, James launched Talking Rubbish in August 2024—a weekly podcast that explores the latest trends and insights in recycling, keeping audiences informed and engaged as we strive for a greener planet.

Beyond his role at Ecosurety, James is the Chair of the environmental charity City to Sea, a Non-Executive Director at OPRL (On-Pack Recycling Label), and a trustee of a local housing association. Through these various roles, James continues to advocate for sustainability, education, and meaningful action across multiple sectors.

Dieter Wood

Chief Operating Officer, Thrivalists

Over 20 years’ experience in the sector and an expert in understanding the impact of design and space on culture.

An expert in understanding the impact of design and space on culture and organisations, Dieter is ultimately responsible for understanding our client’s vision and translating that into a thriving workspace. Dieter has over 20 years’ experience in the sector and has worked on a broad spectrum of projects in the commercial and leisure industries. His experience spans project and site management, workspace consultancy and business development.