Podcast
Rubbish Talk
Hosted by Alasdair Meldrum and Jane Bond from Albion Environmental Ltd · EN
The Rubbish Talk podcast is brought to you by staff from Albion Environmental, to widen the conversation about managing waste and resources in the UK. Each episode will interview a new guest who plays an important role within the waste and resource management industry. We will discuss everything from career journeys, balancing work and personal life, and generally just talk some rubbish.
Get in touch by emailing hello@rubbishtalk.co.uk
Episodes released Thu. 4pm fortnightly.
LinkedIn: Albion Environmental
Latest industry news: www.industrynews.albion-environmental.co.uk
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 102: News Round-Up
Mar 1900:41:36Tap to summarizeAfter a run of brilliant student episodes and celebratingour 100th milestone, the news has been quietly piling up… so this week, Jane and Alasdair dive into a much-needed news special. NewsGovernment urges councils to seize and crush fly-tippers’vehiclesWith 1.26 million incidents recorded, this feels like a step in the right direction. Jane highlights the huge cost to councils, while Alasdair questions whether stronger enforcement like vehicle seizure might finally make people think twice.Mother fined £11,500 for binning batteriesA tough one — Jane notes the scale (23 batteries!), while Alasdair points out the rules were clear. It raises the bigger question: how far should enforcement go to change behaviour?Laughing gas canisters causing explosions at waste sitesHundreds of explosions a week — both are baffled these are still ending up in bins. Alasdair questions why products are sold without factoring in safe disposal, while Jane compares it to the ongoing battery and vape issue.Criminals stealing used cooking oil from chip shopsA sign of the times — waste becoming valuable. Jane links it back to rising fuel prices, while Alasdair notes it’s a familiar pattern: materials left out for collection being intercepted before they reach legitimate processors.Man trains dog to fly-tip rubbishAs bizarre as it is frustrating — both agree it shows the lengths people go to avoid doing the right thing. As the police said: clever, but still wrong.'Your balloon releases aren’t going to heaven'A refreshing positive — Jane gives this a “gold star,” while both highlight it as a great example of businesses taking responsibility and saying no for environmental reasons.Landfill gas used to grow food in giant domeA great example of circular thinking. Alasdair sees real potential in using waste heat and CO₂ locally, while Jane notes it’s a practical way to turn landfill into something positive.Plastic wet wipes ban proposed in ScotlandA long time coming. Both highlight the impact on fatbergs and beaches — and agree this is one of those changes that should simply be standard everywhere.Returnable glass bottles making a comebackA reminder that reuse isn’t new. Alasdair reflects that we may have gone too far towards recycling, while Jane notes the practicality challenge — but agreesthe principle is strong.75% of UK waste tyre exports untrackedA worrying statistic. Both point to the need for tighter controls, with comparisons to Australia’s shred-only approach showing there are workable alternatives.Legacy landfill risks under reviewA key reminder — landfill hasn’t gone away. Alasdair stresses the importance of long-term management and expertise, while Jane notes its ongoing role when other infrastructure isn’t available.Coffee grounds could strengthen concreteInnovation at its best — turning waste into a resource. Both are impressed, though Jane questions the processing cost, while Alasdair highlights reduced reliance on natural materials.Plastic from the 1960s washing up in OrkneyA stark reminder of plastic’s longevity. Jane is struck by how far it’s travelled, while both reflect on the long-term legacy of today’s waste. Rant of the Week: “Too Icky” for Food Waste?This week’s rant is sparked by a news article that foodwaste bins are “too icky” for households. Jane and Alasdair question how something so essential —reducing emissions, saving costs, and recovering energy — can be dismissed so easily. Food waste collections are a key part of modern waste systems, yet participation is still far from where it needs to be.The frustration isn’t just with the perception, but with howit’s communicated. The benefits — environmental and financial — aren’t always clearly explained, and without that, it’s no surprise people don’t engage.The message is simple: Use the system as it’s designed — it works, but only if people actually use it.
Transcribe →Episode 101: 100 Years of Waste in Scotland (Part 2)
Mar 1200:58:44Tap to summarizeLast week we explored the early history of waste management in Scotland, from the early 1900s through to the 1970s. In Episode 101, Jane and Alasdair pick up the story from the 1980s onwards, looking at how regulation, technology and policy shaped the modern waste sector we know today.The 1980s marked a period of major change. The sector was still heavily reliant on landfill, but environmental awareness and legislation were beginning to grow. The introduction of wheelie bins increased household waste capacity, while early recycling initiatives such as bottle banks started appearing. At the same time, wider policy shifts like compulsory competitive tendering began changing how local authority waste services were delivered. The groundwork was also being laid for what would become one of the most important pieces of legislation in the sector — the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Moving into the 1990s, waste management began to professionalise rapidly. The introduction of waste management licensing regulations, the creation of the Environment Agency and SEPA in 1996, and the introduction of landfill tax fundamentally reshaped how waste was handled and regulated. Landfill sites became more engineered and regulated, and landfill tax provided one of the first strong financial drivers pushing waste away from disposal and towards recycling. The early 2000s saw major investment in recycling infrastructure. Scotland’s National Waste Strategy and the Strategic Waste Fund led to large expansions in kerbside recycling schemes and significant increases in recycling rates — rising from around 5% in 2000 to roughly 45% within a few years. This period also saw increased collaboration between local authorities, regulators and researchers to develop best practice in waste management. In the 2010s and beyond, the focus shifted again — from simply managing waste safely to thinking about resources, circular economy principles and climate impacts. Policies such as net zero commitments, circular economy strategies and changes in global recycling markets (including China’s National Sword policy) reshaped how waste materials were managed internationally. Looking back across the last century, Jane summarises the journey simply:Early regulation focused on protecting public health,Later legislation aimed to protect the environment,More recent policy focuses on protecting resources and reducing carbon.It’s been a century of huge change — but as Jane and Alasdair reflect, the real challenge now is turning strategies and policies into practical implementation that delivers results on the ground.As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’ve worked in the sector or have memories of how waste management has changed over the years, get in touch or share them with us on social media.
Transcribe →Episode 100: 100 Years of Waste in Scotland (Part 1)
Mar 500:54:30Tap to summarizeWe’ve reached Episode 100 of Rubbish Talk — although technically it’s even more once you include our pilot and special episodes! Across those recordings we’ve had 77 guests, over 100 hours of conversation, and listeners from 73 countries around the world. Thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast along the way. To mark the milestone, Jane and Alasdair take a step back to explore 100 years of waste management in Scotland. The idea came from reaching out to some of our previous podcast guests and asking what they thought would make a good topic for Episode 100 — so thank you to everyone who shared suggestions. In particular, John Crawford (Episode 53) kindly provided a detailed paper on the history of waste management in Scotland, which helped shape this episode and the timeline we discuss, so a big thank you to John as well. In the 1920s and 1930s, waste was mainly ash and cinders from coal fires. Collection was often done by horse and cart, and disposal was typically basic incineration or burning. Very little was wasted, as reuse and repair were part of everyday life. During the 1940s, wartime rationing and government salvage campaigns meant materials were reused wherever possible. Packaging was minimal and most household waste could simply be burned in coal fires. By the 1950s and 1960s, consumer culture and plastics began to change the waste stream. Waste volumes increased, incinerators struggled with new materials, and landfill started to become the dominant disposal route. Early environmental legislation also began to appear, including the Clean Air Act and the Civic Amenities Act, which introduced the first public waste disposal sites. The 1970s brought major change with the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act 1972 and the Control of Pollution Act 1974, which introduced licensing for waste sites and stronger environmental regulation. Collection systems also evolved, with many councils moving to kerbside sack collections instead of traditional metal bins. This episode takes us up to the 1970s, setting the scene for the modern waste industry. In Episode 101, Jane and Alasdair will continue the story — covering the 1980s through to today and how recycling, regulation and the circular economy transformed the sector. Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Rubbish Talk over the past 100 episodes — our brilliant guests, the listeners who tune in each week, and everyone who shares the podcast and joins the conversation about waste and resources. We’re incredibly grateful for the support, so here’s to the next 100 episodes and continuing to explore the fascinating world of waste together!
Transcribe →Episode 99: Future of Waste: Student Voices from Edinburgh
Feb 2600:38:55Tap to summarizeThis week on Rubbish Talk, Alasdair and Jane are joined once again by students from the University of Edinburgh’s MSc programmes — and this time, we feature two powerful student-created podcasts as part of their Resource Recovery and Circular Economy coursework Cate Satoris, an MSc Environment & Development student originally from North Dakota, explores single-use plastic habits in UK supermarkets. Coming from the United States, Cate was surprised to find that produce in the UK often arrives pre-wrapped in plastic — a choice she hadn’t expected in a country seen as environmentally progressive. Her podcast digs into why so much plastic packaging is still used, the limits of soft plastic take-back schemes, and how policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Plastic Packaging Tax aim to shift responsibility back to producers. Cate argues that while recycling schemes help, they are not enough — the real solution lies in eliminating unnecessary packaging at source. Vanessa Ngwi, an MSc Environmental Sustainability student from Cameroon, turns our attention to a very different but equally urgent waste challenge. Her podcast, “Rethinking Rubbish: Circular Solutions for Cameroon’s Waste Crisis,” explores the reality of overflowing landfills and limited formal waste collection systems. Drawing on personal experience, Vanessa highlights how over half of municipal waste in Cameroon is organic and could be composted locally rather than buried. She proposes a practical two-pillar approach: decentralised community composting combined with Extended Producer Responsibility to fund recycling infrastructure. Her message is clear — high-tech solutions aren’t always the answer; people-centred, practical systems can create real change. Both podcasts reflect the power of education, international collaboration, and fresh perspectives in tackling global waste challenges. It’s inspiring to hear how students are connecting policy, behaviour change, and lived experience to rethink how we manage resources — whether in Edinburgh, North Dakota, or Yaoundé. As we approach Episode 100, it’s a reminder that the next generation of waste professionals is already thinking critically and creatively about the future.
Transcribe →Episode 98: Future of Waste: Student Voices from Edinburgh
Feb 1900:32:54Tap to summarizeThis week’s episode is a little different as Alasdair and Jane hand the mic over to two MSc students linked to the University of Edinburgh and SRUC, showcasing podcasts they created as part of their Resource Recovery and Circular Economy module. With Episode 100 fast approaching, it feels fitting to highlight the next generation of waste professionals already thinking critically about the future of sustainability. First up is Angeli Srirangan, currently studying MSc Environmental Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh after transitioning from a marketing career in retail. Drawing on her experience working for a major supermarket, Angeli explores how retailers can reduce excessive packaging and improve recyclability in practice. Her podcast examines Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), reuse schemes like refill systems, and the balance between regulation, innovation and cost. She highlights how design decisions made by retailers can remove millions of tonnes of plastic before it ever reaches consumers — proving that upstream change can have massive downstream impact. Angeli also reflects on the role of government in accelerating progress, from clearer labelling and reuse targets to material bans and financial incentives for innovation. Her message is clear: while EPR is a step forward, true circularity requires moving beyond recycling towards reduction and reuse. Next up we have Chizoba Kama, another MSc Environmental Sustainability student at the University of Edinburgh, who previously worked in Nigeria’s environmental sector and as an EcoBarter ambassador encouraging recycling at household level. Her podcast focuses on food redistribution innovations and how global case studies are helping divert food waste from landfill. Chizoba examines legislative approaches like France’s supermarket donation laws, digital platforms such as Too Good To Go, and community-driven redistribution models in Germany and Japan. She explores both the opportunities and the limitations of redistribution — emphasising that while technology and policy can reduce waste, prevention must always come first. Cultural values, infrastructure, and access all shape whether these systems succeed. Both podcasts demonstrate thoughtful research, global awareness and a strong understanding that waste management is as much about behaviour, culture and economics as it is about bins and infrastructure. This episode builds on our ongoing connection with the University of Edinburgh and SRUC’s Resource Recovery and Circular Economy module, led by Jennifer Carfrae from Episode 48. If you haven’t listened to that conversation yet, it’s well worth a catch-up. Jane and Alasdair also lecture on the Waste and Resources component of the MSc programme, so it’s always a real pleasure to see students take those discussions further and turn their learning into thoughtful, practical podcast projects of their own. A huge thank you to both students for allowing us to share their work — and to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy teaching team for continuing to inspire future leaders in the sector. The future of waste and circular economy thinking is in very capable hands.
Transcribe →Episode 97: The Waste Journey of Cooking Oil
Feb 1200:33:18Tap to summarizeNews RoundupGAP Group launches UK-wide insulation panel recycling serviceGAP Group has announced a new UK-wide service to recycle insulation panels, helping tackle materials that have historically been difficult to manage at end of life. The discussion links back to Episode 39, highlighting how specialist treatment is important as construction and demolition waste grows more complex.Enva to open new fridge recycling facility in DartfordEnva has revealed plans for a 124,000 sq ft fridge recycling facility in Kent, capable of processing around 35,000 tonnes a year. With fridges containing harmful refrigerant gases and insulating foams, expanding UK treatment capacity is critical to preventing emissions and reducing reliance on export or long-distance haulage.UK Government publishes first PFAS action planThe UK’s first dedicated plan to address PFAS — often referred to as “forever chemicals” — marks an important step in recognising their long-term environmental and health risks. While much of the focus is on water, the implications for landfill leachate and contaminated waste streams are significant for the wider waste sector.One house used Fife Council bulky uplift service 35 times in a yearA single household’s repeated use of Fife Council’s bulky uplift service has reignited debate around fairness, access, and abuse of free services. The story links neatly back to Episode 82 , where the balance between preventing fly-tipping and avoiding system misuse was explored in depth.McDonald’s launches new “Friends” collectiblesThe launch of another wave of plastic collectibles raises familiar questions about short-lived novelty items and their environmental footprint. While marketed at adults this time, Alasdair and Jane question whether these products have any realistic end-of-life beyond the bin.Rick Stein’s Australia highlights sustainable food practicesIn his latest BBC series, Rick Stein showcases chefs embracing whole-animal use and local sourcing. The episode featuring Josh Niland’s approach to fish butchery stood out as a strong example of waste prevention through design — reducing food waste before it even exists.Topic: The Waste Journey of Cooking OilThis week’s main discussion focuses on cooking oil — a common household product with a surprisingly complex waste journey. Around 176 million litres of cooking oil are sold in the UK each year, yet estimates suggest closer to 250 million litres of used oil are generated annually. This discrepancy highlights just how unclear the data can be, particularly for household disposal.Despite long-running campaigns, a significant proportion of people still pour fats, oils, and grease down sinks and toilets. This behaviour contributes to sewer blockages, fatbergs, flooding, and costly repairs. The festive period is especially problematic, with millions of litres of oil entering drains over Christmas alone.When disposed of correctly, used cooking oil is far from waste. Collected oil is routinely converted into biodiesel for transport and machinery, with by-products such as glycerol used in soaps, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The catering sector generally performs well thanks to established collection systems, but household participation remains patchy.The takeaway is simple: never pour oil down the drain. Let it cool, solidify it where possible, and check local guidance — whether that’s food waste collections or dedicated drop-off points at recycling centres. Treated properly, cooking oil can power vehicles rather than block pipes.Rubbish Rant of the Week: Disposable ThinkingThis week’s rant takes aim at the ongoing contradiction between innovation and throwaway culture. While materials like cooking oil can be successfully recovered and turned into fuel, we continue to flood the market with items and packaging that have no meaningful end-of-life plan.
Transcribe →Episode 96: Waste Journey of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)
Feb 500:32:55Tap to summarizeThis week, Alasdair and Jane take a deep dive into what happens when a car reaches the end of the road. With around 1–2 million end-of-life vehicles scrapped in the UK each year, it’s a massive waste stream — and it’s becoming even more complex as modern vehicles contain more plastics, electronics, composites, and hazardous components than ever before. They explain that scrapping a vehicle isn’t as simple as crushing it into a cube. Before anything else happens, cars must be deregistered and taken to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), where the first priority is depollution. That means safely removing fluids like fuel, oils, coolant and brake fluid, along with batteries, airbags, and other hazardous parts. As Jane points out, airbags are effectively explosive devices — so there’s a very real safety process behind dismantling vehicles properly. The episode also explores the growing role of reuse, with “green parts” now commonly used by garages and insurers. Instead of fitting brand new parts, repairers can source working components from scrapped vehicles — saving money and keeping materials in circulation for longer. It’s a great example of circular economy principles already working well in practice. Finally, they touch on the trickier end of ELV recycling: the leftover “frag” or shredder residue that remains once the metals have been recovered. This mixed material can contain plastics, foams, small metals and contaminants, and it’s often harder to treat or recycle — raising questions about what happens to the last difficult fraction once the high-value materials are removed. Rubbish Rant: Plastic Film – Too Soon? This week’s rant focuses on Scotland’s Duty of Care consultation, which includes proposals around requiring commercial premises to start segregating plastic film. While the ambition is clear, Alasdair questions whether the system is ready — arguing we still struggle to properly manage the plastic streams we already collect, so adding another challenging material could be putting the cart before the horse.
Transcribe →Episode 95: Waste Journey of Tyres
Jan 2900:39:23Tap to summarizeNews RoundupIllegal Waste Sites Still Spreading – Including “Super Sites” Hundreds of illegal waste tips are reportedly operating across England, including 11 large-scale “super sites”. It’s another reminder that waste crime isn’t small-scale littering — it can be industrial, organised, and extremely damaging.Illegal Waste Dump Linked to King’s Estate LandOne of the UK’s worst illegal waste dumps has been reported as being located on land belonging to a private estate connected to the King. It’s a story that highlights how complex land ownership, responsibility, and regulation can become once waste is dumped illegally — and how hard it is to untangle accountability once it happens.EA Enforcement Powers Used Only 6 Times in 7 YearsA striking article reports that the Environment Agency has only used its unique enforcement powers six times since being granted them in 2018. This links closely to our recent guest episode with Samantha Riggs (Episode 86), where she discussed how the system often has the tools — but doesn’t always use them effectively.Binfluencer EIR Request Raises Transparency Questions A LinkedIn post shares an Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) request — highlighting how important transparency and accessible information are in the waste sector. When the public and professionals can’t easily access clear data, trust drops and misinformation spreads fast.SEPA Appeal After Illegal Waste Deposits in AyrshireSEPA has appealed for public help following two significant illegal waste deposits in Ayrshire. This is a reminder that illegal dumping isn’t just an England problem — it impacts communities across Scotland too.Court Dismisses Biffa’s £51.4m Scottish DRS ClaimAnother update in the long-running Deposit Return Scheme story: the court has dismissed Biffa’s £51.4m damages claim relating to Scotland’s DRS. The wider impacts of DRS delays and changes continue to ripple through the sector.Magnet Recycling Idea Goes Commercial Some positive innovation news: scientists’ work on recycling magnets is moving toward commercial reality. With magnets found in a growing range of electronics and tech, this kind of progress could become increasingly important for the circular economy.Topic of the Week: The Waste Journey of TyresTyres are everywhere — on cars, vans, trucks, bikes, plant equipment — but most people don’t think about them as a waste stream until they’re being replaced. Alasdair and Jane unpack what happens behind the scenes once tyres are removed, and why they’re far more complicated than they look.The discussion covers how tyres are collected through garages and commercial routes, then moved through processing systems where they may be reused, shredded, granulated, or turned into other products. Tyres can be valuable as a material because they contain rubber and steel, but they’re also challenging because they’re bulky, tough to break down, and expensive to transport.They also explore where tyre material ends up, including the reality that a significant proportion is exported — and how global markets influence what’s “recyclable” in practice. Even when tyres are being recovered, the final destination matters: reuse and proper recycling can support circular economy goals, but poorly controlled export routes risk pushing the environmental burden elsewhere.Overall, this episode is a reminder that tyres are not “just rubbish” — they’re a major waste stream with real carbon, cost, and compliance implications depending on how they’re handled.Rubbish Rant: When “Recycling” Becomes Someone Else’s ProblemThis week’s rant focuses on the uncomfortable truth that some waste streams — including tyres — can end up being shipped overseas, where the environmental controls, worker protections, and end destinations may be far less clear. The conversation touches on the risks of treating export as an easy solution, rather than investing in domestic capacity and proper accountability.
Transcribe →Episode 94: Waste Journey of Textiles
Jan 2200:48:16Tap to summarizeNews RoundupCourt rejects Biffa’s £51.4m DRS claim The Court of Session has rejected Biffa’s £51.4 million claim against the Scottish Government over the delayed DRS, ruling that ministers did not negligently mislead the company. While Biffa had already invested heavily in vehicles and infrastructure, the judgment suggests the company took a commercial risk. Alasdair suspects this may not be the end of the story, with a potential appeal likely. £400 recycling fines? Completely false Recent headlines claiming households could be fined £400 under new recycling rules have been labelled misleading. The story relates to long-standing restrictions on incorrect materials, not new penalties. Jane and Alasdair agree that clearer communication is needed to explain why recycling changes are happening — not to scare people into compliance. Food waste collections expand in England New weekly food waste collections are rolling out across parts of England, with councils highlighting improved bin designs that reduce smells and pests. While Scotland introduced these systems years ago, the hosts note that England is finally catching up — and urge councils to better sell the benefits. What bin collections reveal about inequality A former bin worker has spoken about stark contrasts between waste collection routes in wealthier and poorer communities — noting that generosity and appreciation were often greater in areas with less money. The story sparked a wider discussion on respect for frontline waste workers. From fishing nets to litter pickers Jane and Alasdair highlight Waterhaul, a company turning discarded fishing nets into products like litter-picking equipment and sunglasses. It’s a strong example of circular thinking — taking problematic waste and turning it into useful, durable products that councils already buy. Topic – The Waste Journey of Textiles This week’s deep dive tackles one of the most complex waste streams of all: textiles. Jane and Alasdair unpack why clothing waste is such a challenge — from fast fashion and online shopping habits to mixed fibres that are difficult (or impossible) to recycle. Around 240,000 tonnes of textiles are imported into Scotland each year, with roughly a third discarded. Despite widespread belief, much of what we call “textile recycling” is actually sorting and baling, with large volumes exported overseas and little clarity on what happens next. They explore the environmental cost of textiles, which contribute an estimated 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, despite making up a relatively small share of household waste by weight. Cotton’s heavy water and pesticide use, synthetic fibres’ reliance on fossil fuels, and microplastic shedding all add to the problem. While reuse via charity shops, resale platforms, and take-back schemes is better than disposal, it doesn’t solve the core issue: overproduction and overconsumption. There is some progress. The Zero Waste Scotland report highlights textiles as a priority product, with discussions around extended producer responsibility, eco-design, recycled content requirements, and improved sorting infrastructure. New initiatives aim to develop fibre-to-fibre recycling in the UK, but large-scale solutions are still emerging. The key message is clear: real progress will require action from producers and retailers — not just consumers — alongside a rethink of how clothes are designed, sold, and valued. Rubbish Rant This week’s rant centres on personal responsibility. Alasdair was triggered by a local post showing two dumped mattresses outside a charity shop, followed by a flood of comments defending the fly-tipper. If someone can organise buying new mattresses, why can’t they make the same effort to dispose of the old ones properly? As ever, the frustration isn’t just the waste itself — it’s the excuses we make for behaviour that everyone knows isn’t acceptable. Remember WEEE and batteries too — recycle your electricals!
Transcribe →Episode 93: Be More Sustainable in 2026
Jan 1500:39:00Tap to summarizeAs the new year begins, Alasdair and Jane reflect on what sustainability really means going into 2026. Rather than chasing perfection or the latest green trend, this episode focuses on practical choices, better systems, and learning from where things continue to go wrong.News Round-UpLandfill Collapse Exposes the Human Cost of WasteA landfill collapse in the Philippines has killed at least one person and trapped dozens more, underlining how poorly managed waste sites can become life-threatening. It’s a stark reminder that waste management failures don’t just damage the environment — they endanger lives.Lego’s “Smart Bricks” Spark Sustainability ConcernsLego has unveiled tech-filled Smart Bricks, prompting unease from experts about durability, repairability, and the growing trend of adding electronics to everyday products. Alasdair and Jane question whether this kind of innovation really supports sustainability or creates more future waste.Kidlington Fly-Tip Clean-Up Comes With a Heavy Price TagThe long-awaited clearance of the Kidlington illegal waste site is due to begin in February, with an £8 million contract awarded to Acumen Waste Services. Around 21,000 tonnes of waste will be cleared at a cost of roughly £380 per tonne — a reminder that waste crime always ends up costing someone.Britain’s Biggest Fly-Tip Back in the SpotlightA major illegal waste dump has hit national headlines again, highlighting years of inaction and regulatory failure. The discussion focuses less on shock value and more on how sites like this are allowed to grow unnoticed for so long.Farewell to Zero Waste Scotland’s CEOZero Waste Scotland has announced that CEO Iain Gulland will step down after 11 years. Alasdair and Jane reflect on the importance of leadership in driving long-term progress on waste prevention and the circular economy.Topic: Be More Sustainable in 2026Rather than setting unrealistic resolutions, Alasdair and Jane argue that sustainability in 2026 needs to be about better decisions, not more effort. They discuss how the pressure to be “environmentally perfect” often puts people off entirely, when small, consistent changes can have a far greater impact over time.The conversation touches on over-engineered products, unnecessary technology, and the growing disconnect between how things are designed and how they’re ultimately disposed of. From smart toys and disposable electronics to the hidden costs of convenience, they question whether many so-called sustainable innovations are actually creating tomorrow’s waste problems.They also stress that sustainability can’t sit solely with households. Without proper producer responsibility, strong regulation, and systems that support reuse and repair, individuals are left carrying the burden. Prevention — designing waste out before it exists — comes up again and again as the real priority for the year ahead.Rubbish RantThis week’s rant targets performative sustainability — flashy ideas, complex systems and sustainable claims that look good on paper but don’t work in practice. As Alasdair and Jane see it, 2026 doesn’t need more buzzwords or gimmicks. It needs simpler choices, clearer responsibility, and systems that actually make it easier to do the right thing.Final thought: You don’t have to do everything in 2026 — just do something better and keep doing it.
Transcribe →