Understanding the systems behind circularity

In this series of case studies, we tell the story of those who have successfully completed the Circular Economy Internship Scheme, helping businesses and employees develop the skills needed to deliver a circular Economy in Scotland, while also providing precious experience.

Working on behalf of the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme, Warmworks manages large-scale home energy efficiency and retrofit projects. Kashvi's internship focused on a challenge that often receives less attention than the installation works themselves: what happens to the previously used equipment and materials that are currently considered as waste generated during retrofit projects.

Her role involved mapping the materials produced through retrofit activities and identifying opportunities to manage them more effectively in line with the waste hierarchy. To do this, she worked directly with contractors across the supply chain, conducting site visits, gathering data and building a clearer picture of how construction materials were being handled in practice.

"I started by understanding what was being generated and how contractors were managing it," Kashvi explains. "From there, I designed surveys, analysed the data and developed recommendations for how this could be reduced and managed more effectively." 

The project gave her extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, research design and data analysis, but it also highlighted some of the practical barriers businesses face when trying to adopt circular economy approaches.

One of the biggest challenges was gathering reliable information.

"A lot of contractors didn't have dedicated systems in place for recording waste," she says. "There was sustainability reporting and environmental reporting, but waste data was often limited or inconsistent. It made me realise that circular economy isn't just about recycling. It's also about having the right systems and processes in place to understand what's happening in the first place."

That insight became one of the most valuable lessons of the internship. Rather than viewing circular economy solely through the lens of waste management, Kashvi developed an understanding of the wider organisational changes needed to support more circular ways of working. 

Alongside developing her technical knowledge of waste management and circular economy principles, she gained experience in policy interpretation, report writing and stakeholder engagement. Working closely with contractors also helped strengthen her communication skills and gave her valuable exposure to the realities of delivering sustainability projects across multiple organisations.

Ian Cuthbert, Net Zero Programme Manager at Warmworks, says Kashvi's professionalism and approach to stakeholder engagement stood out throughout the placement.

"During her time with us, Kashvi demonstrated exceptional professionalism and teamwork. She quickly grasped new concepts and approached data-gathering with a positive, professional attitude. Kashvi's ability to handle stakeholder interactions with care and her collaborative spirit made her a key asset to our team."

The quality of Kashvi's work was recognised beyond her placement. Following the internship, she became a finalist in the Bright Green Internship Awards and received the award for Most Impactful Intern, presenting the findings and recommendations from her project to a panel of judges.

Today, Kashvi works as an Energy Advisor at Energy Saving Trust, helping households access energy efficiency measures and support through Scottish Government-funded schemes. Many of the skills developed during her internship remain central to her work.

"My internship involved interpreting policies and technical guidance, then turning that information into something practical," she says. "I do the same thing now, helping people understand the support available to them and navigate different schemes."

Energy Saving Trust says the experience and knowledge Kashvi built through her internship made her a strong candidate for her current role.

"From her initial interview, it was clear that Kashvi's experience in the sustainability sector made her a strong candidate for the role she was applying for. Her prior knowledge of the Warmer Homes Scotland programme, its partnership networks, and its goals of promoting sustainable energy consumption and reducing fuel poverty all translated immediately into her role as an Energy Advisor.

Similarly, her internship history helped distinguish her as a candidate, which, when paired with her energy and sustainability literacy, made her suitability to the role obvious. We have been delighted to work with her since she joined our team."

Looking back, she believes the internship provided both a foundation for her career and an introduction to the Scottish sustainability sector.

"For someone coming from outside the UK, it was a great opportunity to understand how organisations work, build confidence and develop professional networks. It played a huge role in helping me secure my current position."

As businesses increasingly look to reduce waste and use resources more effectively, skills such as stakeholder engagement, data analysis, policy interpretation and systems thinking are becoming more important than ever. Kashvi's experience shows how developing those skills can help turn sustainability ambitions into practical action.