Where are they now – Duncan and Gareth
Former reimagineer Duncan Scotland is now the GM of Partnerships and Growth at Plant and Food Research.
We’ve had some wonderful, talented and passionate people working at 3R – not to mention the amazing team we currently have. As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations we caught up with a few former reimagineers to see where they are now, what they loved most about working at 3R, and how they’ve taken what they learned and experienced into their new careers.
First up, we chat to former Marketing and Development Manager Duncan Scotland and former General Manager Operations Gareth Mentzer.
Where are you working now and what is your focus?
Duncan: Since leaving 3R in 2017 I’ve been at Plant and Food Research (PFR), where I’m currently GM of Partnerships and Growth. Our team of 20 business managers contract the commercial R&D that PFR provides and help with initiating projects and securing funding opportunities.
Gareth: I am currently the Managing Director of a startup business called Wool.Life. We sell wool mulch and weed matting used in a variety of industries. Our matting is either made from lower grade wool or post-industrial recycled wool that was destined for carpet.
What has kept you in the sustainability space?
Duncan: An interest in primary sector sustainability was one of the reasons I joined 3R, and then PFR. Improving sustainable outcomes is woven into most of PFR’s science.
Gareth: I wouldn’t say I am strictly in the sustainability space, however our products are used in place of synthetic alternatives and we use post-industrial recycled wool which is by far our biggest seller.
What are you most proud of about your work at 3R?
Duncan: The fact 3R is a real pioneer in product stewardship. Some initiatives take time to come to fruition – for example I remember working on Tyrewise all those years ago. It’s great to see it up and running now.
Gareth: This might not answer the question, strictly speaking, but it’s the mates that I made. I’m in business with one of them now (Neville Smith) and that, to me, really signifies how great it was to work at 3R.
What’s one key takeaway from your time at 3R that you still use in your current role?
Duncan: Something from 3R that I apply every day is the need to make complex ideas sound simple and compelling.
Gareth: Very simply, collaboration. Working in the product stewardship space and the collaborative framework that this requires has majorly impacted the way I work.
What particular memory, project or piece of work from your time at 3R stands out for you?
Duncan: My main work memories relate to Agrecovery and taking satisfaction from the growth in participation and recycling rates as the programme entered the mainstream. I also made some great friendships in my time at 3R.
Gareth: Having worked for eight years at 3R there are a lot of highlights, but if I had to pick one it would be being involved with Tyrewise.
What’s one thing you would like to see happen in New Zealand to improve environmental sustainability?
Duncan: I’d like to see a long-term commitment from the government to inform good policy and provide clear signals to industry. And a good outcome from the current science reviews to support ongoing research and innovation.
Gareth: Generally, there has to be a trend to support local businesses whether that be regional or national businesses and in particular those businesses, like Wool.Life, that provide a genuine alternative to synthetic (typically imported) products.
