Podback recently welcomed Simone Singleton as Partnerships Mobilisation Manager, to lead the onboarding process for local authority partners adding coffee pods to their collection services. Simone joins Podback from Swindon Borough Council and has worked in local authority waste management for 15 years, leading on strategy, projects and income generating services with a focus on communications and service improvement. She has been a Chartered member of CIWM since 2015.
“Well, one month into my new role with Podback, and I have to say I have been bowled over by the ambition, interest and opportunity surrounding the humble coffee pod.
Podback’s mission is to ensure that every coffee pod enjoyed is recycled. Kerbside collection schemes are the priority, and I am delighted to be part of a solution that strives to support local authorities, both financially and operationally; making it easier to introduce new services to residents in such challenging times.
We know that residents look to their local authority to enable them to recycle a wider range of items. Podback enables them to confidently recycle a complex item, with the reassurance that the pods will be sent for reprocessing in the UK. Having recently launched our 13th local authority partner, Podback has fully-funded various collection systems mostly revolving around two different models:
- Regular weekly/fortnightly collections alongside existing kerbside recycling or food waste services
- On demand collections using a dedicated vehicle and booking request service usually alongside other materials such as small WEEE or textiles
As Mobilisation Manager I am here to manage the process and take the strain off stretched waste teams, including:
- Project management: Developing a detailed implementation plan at the start of mobilisation to ensure all tasks are scheduled in time for the launch. This is shared at regular meetings to ensure stakeholders are updated on progress.
- Operations: from vehicle modifications to storage of collected pods, I will ensure you have everything in place to start collecting pods on day one of the launch. Podback also takes care of onward logistics to the reprocessors.
- Communications: We provide a comprehensive communications programme to support the launch. So that, whether as a single service change or if integrating Podback into a wider new service roll out, it can fit seamlessly into the planned programme. You will be provided with a detailed communications plan, giving your team with everything they need to promote the service. Communications are fully funded by Podback and include a welcome leaflet sent to all households.
- Post launch support: we monitor participation and tonnages with you in the early weeks of the service, and then on an ongoing basis will provide regular feedback, and we continue work with all partners to ensure the service is running smoothly.
I am genuinely excited to work with our existing and future partners, and that’s not just the coffee talking! If you would be interested in learning more about Podback or starting a conversation about adding coffee pods to your collections, please contact contact@podback.org.
Podback will be attending LARAC Wales and the LARAC Conference in October, so please do come and say hello.
Follow us on LinkedIn @podbackUK to get our latest news.
