In this first episode of Sustainability Matters Now, we are joined by Gary Stocker, Test Engineer and Green Champion at the Energy Innovation Centre in Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), to discuss how one person's dedication can transform campus culture around sustainability. For over five years, Gary has been collecting niche recyclable materials across the University of Warwick: soft plastics, cosmetic tubes, blister packs, dental products, pens, and postage stamps. These are items that would otherwise go to landfill. Gary shares how he built his recycling network from a single collection box to a university-wide initiative, starting with conversations in familiar buildings and growing through word-of-mouth as colleagues asked him to expand to their areas. He explains the practical logistics of what he collects and where it goes, from Tesco's soft plastic stillage to Boots collection points to the Materials Engineering Centre's recycling project. Gary's environmental commitment began in primary school in the 1970s, shaped by conservation programmes on TV and radio, and was solidified when he read Trevor Hoyle's cli-fi novel "The Last Gasp" in the late 1980s. The book's dystopian vision convinced him that protecting the environment wasn't just important, but potentially vital to all life on Earth, including humanity. We explore how Gary's engineering background influences his approach to sustainability challenges, why diplomatic relationship-building matters as much as environmental passion, and how his dual roles as Test Engineer and Green Champion create complementary networks that amplify impact. Gary discusses what keeps him motivated despite the scale of environmental challenges, comparing his work to standing against insurmountable odds like heroes in films. "If I don't do it, who is going to do it?" The conversation examines broader systemic questions about creating a sustainable future. Gary argues that while individual action matters, we need direction from business and government that looks at environmental issues "from A to Z," avoiding solutions that solve one problem while creating another. He uses examples like solar panels on agricultural land and UK industry regulations to illustrate why we must consider the whole picture, including unintended consequences and perverse incentives. Gary's story demonstrates how grassroots initiatives, supported by encouraging institutional culture, can create ripple effects that change how people think about sustainability both at work and at home. Sustainability Matters Now Exploring how universities, organisations, and communities put sustainability into practice across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Hosted by Dr Tom Ritchie, Chair of the ESD Action Group at the University of Warwick. This podcast is supported by the Energy and Sustainability Team at the University of Warwick, with particular thanks to Yurong Tian, Gemma Wilkins, and Professor Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla. Join for conversations at Warwick and beyond, exploring the UN Sustainable Development Goals, institutional sustainability commitments, and the real-world challenges of creating equitable, thriving, and resilient communities. If you want to join the podcast as a guest, contact Tom.Ritchie@warwick.ac.uk
