#SustyTalk: Hubbub’s CEO Alex Robinson on what makes a great behaviour change initiative

#SustyTalk is all about keeping edie’s loyal readers connected to sustainable business leaders across the world, whilst reminding us all that sustainability and climate action must go on through the current Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. It launched in the early stages of the pandemic in 2020 and has continued since then, keeping us connected to the inspirational business leaders who are continuing to drive sustainability and climate action.

This latest #SustyTalk episode, hosted as part of our ongoing Engagement Week 2023 (23 – 27 January), sees edie’s senior reporter Sarah George in discussion with Hubbub’s chief executive Alex Robinson. Hubbub is a UK-based environmental charity specialising in initiatives that help drive more sustainable behaviours and lifestyles among the general public, including hosting ‘ballot bins’ for cigarette butts and cans, operating a nationwide network of community fridges and working with Starbucks to promote reusable cup use, to name just three.

Robinson took over as Hubbub’s chief executive last year. He is on hand in this #SustyTalk to discuss his “scenic route” into behaviour change for sustainability and outline Hubbub’s focus topics for 2023 and beyond, which have been chosen not only with impact in mind, but with the need to save people money amid the rising cost-of-living.

Robinson also shares instances where communications campaigns have gone well and where they could have been better, providing learnings for listeners looking to launch or refresh their own initiatives.

Robinson says: “We often haven’t led with the environmental message, because if you lead with [this] message, you speak to people who already care. That’s valuable, for sure. But if you want to bring new people in and change their behaviours, you have to talk to people about things they care about.

“Now, more than ever, they care about saving money. But this is one of a number of drivers out there that aren’t about the environment, that can inspire more environmentall friendly behaviours. These can be spending time with family, or being healthier, for example.”

Click here to see our catalogue of #SustyTalk interviews.

Click here to see all of our Engagement Week 2023 content and events. 

Want to be featured on a future episode of #SustyTalk? Email [email protected]. Please bear in mind that our interview calendar is typically booked several weeks in advance. 

Hear more from Hubbub at edie 23

Taking place in London on 1-2 March 2023, edie’s biggest annual event has undergone a major revamp to become edie 23, with a new name, new venue, multiple new content streams and myriad innovative event features and networking opportunities.

edie 23 will take place at the state-of-the-art 133 Houndsditch conference venue in central London. Held over two floors, the event will offer up two full days of keynotes, panels, best-practice case studies and audience-led discussions across three themed stages – Strategy, Net-Zero and Action.

Click here for full information and to book your ticket.

Hubbub’s Alex Robinson will be speaking on Day 2 of edie23 ( March 2) during a fireside chat on ‘engaging the general public on the road to net-zero’. This session also includes the British Retail Consortium’s project manager for climate action, Niki Hunt.