John Hubbard to Contribute to Webinar on Unsold Goods and Product Stewardship

What happens to products that never reach their intended customer?

This question is at the centre of Unlocking the Hidden Value of Unsold Goods, a webinar hosted by Zero Waste Scotland on 11 November 2026.

The event will explore how greater value can be retained from unsold products and materials, and how product stewardship can help organisations prevent surplus, extend product life and reduce waste.

As part of the webinar, John Hubbard, Sustainability Expert at Fira-International, will join a panel discussion alongside representatives from industry, academia, the public sector and the circular economy community.

Drawing on research undertaken by Fira-International on behalf of the Furniture Industry Research Association, John will share insights into the causes and management of unsold furniture. The research examined current industry practices and identified opportunities to retain value through redistribution, reuse, repair and other circular economy approaches.

Key topics

The webinar will explore:

• Current research into unsold goods
• Product stewardship and its role in preventing surplus
• Opportunities to extend product life and retain value
• Practical approaches to reducing waste
• Cross-sector challenges and opportunities associated with unsold products and materials

By contributing findings from the furniture sector, Fira-International will bring industry experience to a wider discussion on value retention and circular economy principles.

Why attend?

Unsold goods present both commercial and environmental challenges. The webinar will provide insights into current research, emerging approaches to product stewardship, and practical strategies for retaining value through reuse, repair and redistribution.

Attendees will also hear perspectives from experts across industry, academia, and the public sector on how organisations can reduce waste and keep products and materials in use for longer.

Event details

Date: 11 November 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Host: Zero Waste Scotland
Event: Unlocking the Hidden Value of Unsold Goods
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-unlocking-the-hidden-value-of-unsold-goods-tickets-2002626742496