35. How to recycle a coffee cup with Rob Tilsley from James Cropper

This week on the podcast, James and Robbie dive deeper into the world of coffee cups with special guest Rob Tilsley from James Cropper, a UK pioneer in coffee cup recycling. Together, they unpack the hidden economics behind plastic-lined cups versus innovative new coatings, reveal how brands and retailers have been quietly working to collect our used cups for longer than we realise, and uncover the surprising reason Christmas brings a wave of pink cardboard.
This week on the podcast, James and Robbie dive deeper into the world of coffee cups with special guest Rob Tilsley from James Cropper, a UK pioneer in coffee cup recycling. Together, they unpack the hidden economics behind plastic-lined cups versus innovative new coatings, reveal how brands and retailers have been quietly working to collect our used cups for longer than we realise, and uncover the surprising reason Christmas brings a wave of pink cardboard.
Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk absolute rubbish from start to finish.
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Rob Tilsley
Fibre Specialist, James Cropper
Rob embarked on his career at James Cropper in 2004 as a Process Operator. After three years, he transitioned into sales, starting as an Inside Sales Executive. Over the next 15 years, Rob held various roles within the sales department, culminating in his promotion to UK Sales Manager. His exceptional performance led to his appointment as Regional Sales Manager, where he took on overall responsibility for the private label and mill collection business.
During a transformative period for the company, Rob embraced a new challenge by moving into operations. He now serves as the Fibre Specialist, overseeing the use of both virgin and recovered fibres on site—a key strategic priority for the company.