Award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer.
Laura’s social media platforms continue to grow, creating a community of activists. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, BlueSky, and YouTube all under @LessWasteLaura.
She was named in The King’s Foundation’s 35 under 35 network, and was awarded the Scottish Influencer of the Year for 2024/5 for her work.
Since 2021, The Bridge Alumni Awards have recognised University of Dundee alumni who have given their time, energy, and expertise to support students and help our wider alumni community grow and connect.
The 2026 Bridge Alumni Awards shine a light on the many ways graduates are making a difference, including leading businesses, championing sustainability, and embodying the University’s values of innovation, collaboration, and social purpose.
I was delighted to receive the 2026 Sustainability Champion Award, the citation for which, generously, noted: “Laura has successfully campaigned for a ban on single use vapes in Scotland and beyond, and led to a direct ban on the sale of single use vapes in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which was imposed on 1 June 2025.”
The Pride of Scotland Awards celebrate Scots who are transforming the lives of the people around them.
Winners, of all ages and from all walks of life, are chosen by the Pride of Scotland judging panel following thousands of public nominations.
I was honoured to receive a Special Recognition Award at the 2025 Awards Dinner.
The King’s Foundation’s 35 under 35 highlights the next generation of makers and changemakers. I was delighted, and honoured, to be included in this network of young people working with The King’s Foundation to promote the change it wants to see in the world, as it celebrated its 35th anniversary.
The aim for the 35 under 35 network is to raise awareness of the work of The King’s Foundation and create a network of engaged individuals who can work together and exchange knowledge across their diverse disciplines into the future, in line with The King’s philosophy of Harmony.
Celebrating people across creative industries in the categories of Literature and Publishing, Applied Sciences, Languages, Performing and Visual Arts, Saltire’s 40 Under 40 recognises those with outstanding talent in the early-to-mid stages of their careers.
Celebrating people across creative industries in the categories of Literature and Publishing, Applied Sciences, Languages, Performing and Visual Arts, Saltire’s 40 Under 40 recognises those with outstanding talent in the early-to-mid stages of their careers.
The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards have been Scotland’s only national awards evening for the young people of Scotland, launched in 2006. Laura was a finalist in the 2023 YoungScot awards for the Environment category.
Listed as one of the top climate creators to watch in 2023 by Pique Action and Harvard, highlighting individuals who are making an outstanding contribution to environmental education and campaigning efforts through the medium of social media.
Awarded the first ever Scottish Influencer of the Year Inspiration category in 2022 for work advocating for climate and environmental justice online.
Awarded the Alumni Champion award, recognising both my contributions to activism and environmental causes in Scotland since graduating from her masters.
Sitting alongside others alumni from Edinburgh University such as Chris Hoy, it was an honour to collect the alumni award for me work since graduating.
During 18/19 Laura completed her masters from Edinburgh University, and achieved the best contribution to her course for her extra curricular work such as a TEDx Talk and many on campus campaigns.
In October 2022 Laura began her PhD between the University of Abertay and the University of Dundee as a Hydro Nations Scholar in climate resilience work. To see her full project please visit this webpage.
She has a First Class honours degree in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, and a Masters with Distinction in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh.
As part of her studies she spent a year at the University of Guelph, Canada, before setting off to complete her dissertation working on mangroves in Akumal, Mexico.
Laura regularly speaks in the media, bringing her expertise into conversations about climate, waste, sustainability, and environmental justice issues. You can hear her regularly on LBC, Times Radio, BBC Radio Scotland, and BBC Radio 5Live, and on television on the BBC, STV, and Sky News, as well as other media outlets and platforms.
Her work extends to chairing industry and media events, both specific to environmental issues, and more widely, as well as regularly appearing on the BBC Scotcast Podcast, and hosting Podcast series, such as for SAGES and SGSSS.
Speaking engagements, online and in-person, have been a core part of Laura’s work, from her TEDx Talk, to schools, conferences, and working with the private sector. She works with businesses of all sizes from independent local shops through to global brands such as Volkswagen, Lush, Boots, and the Scottish Government.
Based in Scotland, Laura previously worked for the international development charity Tearfund as the COP26 Coordinator and “Let’s Change The Climate” programme manager and is now an Ambassador.
Seeking to bring younger voices into influential spaces, she sits on a variety of Boards, and advisory Committees and Councils including Circular Communities Scotland, Cycling UK Scotland, and the Evangelical Alliance, and has a number of formal Ambassador roles, including with Girlguiding, and Keep Scotland Beautiful.
She is a United Nations Verified Champion.
She also served terms as Trustee of Scottish Charity, Diamonds Scotland, as a Board member of Environmental Protection Scotland, and was a United Nations Association Scotland Earth Ambassador.
Laura was previously a Scottish Wildlife Trust Young Leader, Marine Conservation Society Youth Ocean Network member, and member of the Public Theology Group for the Baptist Union of Scotland. Laura is an alumni of the 2050 Climate Group leadership programme, Evangelical Alliance Scottish Public Leaders programme, and Christians in Media mentorship programme.
To find out more about the work Laura does, please head to the ‘work‘ website page, or her LinkedIn.
