Waste Not, Want Not: The TV Prop Revolution with PropUp Project
On this episode of Better Waste Services, Emma and Kate, Founders of PropUp Project, give an insight into their mission to give TV and film set props, costumes, and furniture a second life. Since founding PropUp in 2021, these ex-TV producers have been turning leftover sets into opportunities—rehoming items to schools, charities, homeless shelters, community projects, and more. They're also the power behind ITV Reloved, an eBay page selling items from your most beloved ITV series.
They chat about the highs, the hurdles, and the logistics of making it all happen—donation pickups, partnerships, end-of-life handling, and how the circular economy keeps their wheels turning. From repurposing prison set components into local community projects to teaming up with councils for maximum impact, Emma and Kate share stories that prove one person’s leftover is another’s treasure.
Plus, they give a sneak peek into what’s next: digitalising their inventory, embedding sustainability into production budgets, and raising the bar (and funds) in the waste management world. Check them out here: https://propup.uk
14 Jul 2025
Making waste a career for everyone : Better Waste Services - Ep. 13 feat. Libby Stonell
Tim and Louise talk to Libby Stonell, Editor of LetsRecycle to discuss how the waste and recycling sector must adapt to become a career and environment that works for a wider range of people.
The average age of waste operatives is getting higher - how can the industry attract a new generation of people who have young families, need flexible hours but want a career with prospects that can deliver a real change? #letsrecycle #flexibleworking #wastecollection #simplerrecycling
15 May 2025
Improving Mental Health for Waste Teams : Better Waste Services - Ep. 12 feat. Sandy Anderson
Louise and Tim travelled to Fife to meet Sandy Anderson and hear about the award-winning work he's doing to improve mental health support for workers in the waste and recycling team at Fife Council.
Doing sponsored walks for charity, wrapping vehicles for Andy's Man Club, travelling the country speaking to raise mental health awareness or just doing his day job running a waste and recycling team : the man is never still. So we did quite well to get him into a chair for an hour to talk to us!
It's not always an easy listen, covering issues relating to mental health and suicide. Sandy's personal experiences with his team are both sobering and inspiring - if you manage a team of people we'd urge you to follow Sandy's lead. #wastecollection #cwrecycling #collective
Tim chats to Jody and Christine about the incredible changes they've made to how they operate waste and recycling services in Cheshire West and Chester. Eliminating the use of agency staff has allowed them to build stable, long-term employment and create new opportunities for flexible working.
Listen now to find out how they did it!
#wastecollection #cwrecycling #collective
Gareth Rollings of West Sussex County Council shares an alternative approach to food waste, diverting thousands of tons of surplus food from waste and putting it to good use through a community food hub.
Tim talks to Dale Rowbotham of Stockton on Tees Borough Council to explore the choices facing councils implementing new waste collection services that balance efficiency with environmental sustainability.
9 Aug 2024
Better Waste Services - Episode 8 - feat. Matt Boulter
Tim sits down with Matt Boulter of Dorset Council to discuss his experiences as seven small districts became the large unitary authority it is now, via a waste partnership along the way!
There's loads of interesting information about how this rural authority collects and processes waste, and how it has taken residents along a journey to more modern waste and recycling services.
#dorset #wastecollection #foodwaste #bins #recycling #simplerrecycling #tradewaste
8 Jul 2024
Better Waste Services - Episode 7 - feat. David Maidman
Tim and Louise met David Maidman of Canterbury Environment Company to discuss his long experiences as a senior manager in wast services, including most recently in setting up and running a new Local Authority Trading Company. Find out about the pros and cons of different waste collection management structures and how the industry must adopt to imminent changes of Simpler Recycling, plus the general expectations of a modern recycling service. #canterbury #wastecollection #foodwaste #bins #recycling #simplerrecycling
10 Jun 2024
Better Waste Services - Episode 6 - feat. Sally Rose
Tim and Louise sit with Sally Rose of Cheshire East Council and explore how they created a garden waste subscription service which is financially sustainable with a high quality customer experience. Simpler Recycling will require further development of the food waste provision in Cheshire East.
With the current commingled food and garden waste system, how will that be implemented? #gardenwaste #cheshireeast #wastecollection #foodwaste #bins #simplerrecycling
13 May 2024
Better Waste Services - Episode 5 - feat. Neil Taylor
Tim and Louise talk to Neil Taylor, Technical Support Officer at Aberdeen City Council about how they have created a service which works for residents with communal bins as well as those with kerbside collections. #gardenwaste #aberdeen #wastecollection #foodwaste #bins #rfid
15 Apr 2024
Better Waste Services - Episode 4 - feat Ben Jones
Tim and Louise talk to Ben Jones of London Borough of Harrow about how digital communications can transform waste and recycling services for residents.
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