News Roundup
UK Recycling Rate Rises… But Scotland Lags Behind
New stats show the UK’s recycling rate rose to 44.6% in 2023, with Wales leading at 57% and Scotland trailing at 42.1%. While the numbers sound promising, they include incinerator bottom ash metals — and they’re already a year and a half out of date. Alasdair and Jane dig into the data delay and question how effective our systems really are without proper public engagement.
Zero Waste Scotland’s CEO Steps Down
Iain Gulland will step down as CEO of Zero Waste Scotland by the end of 2025. Alasdair hopes new leadership will take things back to basics and focus on getting household waste sorted before we aim for lofty circular economy goals. With a sizeable budget and staff count, is it time for a shift in priorities?
£1.1 Billion Promised for Recycling Services
A big funding announcement promises £1.1 billion from packaging reforms to boost recycling infrastructure — mostly in England, but with some allocation expected across the UK. The funds will come from businesses via extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees, targeting hard-to-recycle packaging materials. Time will tell if the impact matches the promise.
Wales Wet Wipe Ban Incoming
Wales is leading again, announcing a ban on plastic-containing wet wipes by December 2026. England is consulting, and Scotland is… silent. The team revisit the horrors of the infamous London fatberg, which included wet wipes, oils, and — disturbingly — sweet wrappers. Moral of the story: stop flushing plastic, and stop pouring fat down your sink!
Kit Kat’s Confusing “Recyclable” Wrapper
Nestlé’s new Kit Kat wrapper claims it can be recycled if opened in one piece — but Alasdair isn’t convinced. Where are people supposed to recycle it? What facilities even accept it? A classic case of wishful recycling marketing, or as we call it: greenwash in snack form.
TikTok Talk: Plasterboard & Armoured Vehicles
Our TikTok is blowing up! One of Alasdair’s videos about Plasterboard in skips hit over 79,000 views, sparking next week’s episode topic: why plasterboard is banned from landfill, and what we can do with it and yes there’s also a mysterious armoured vehicle in a field… watch at your own risk.
Podultery Alert: Alasdair Guests on “The Gaffer”
Alasdair’s been caught committing “podultery” again — this time as a guest on The Gaffer podcast hosted by Gavin Coyle. Gavin’s mission is to support small construction businesses across the UK.
Alasdair joined him to chat all things waste in construction, from site practices to (you guessed it) plasterboard disposal. The episode isn’t live yet, but as always, we’ll share the link once it’s out!
Topic: Reuse the Waste You Produce
Reusing is simpler (and more powerful) than you think.
Following on from last week’s focus on reducing waste in the first place, this week Alasdair and Jane step down to the second stage of the waste hierarchy: “Reuse” and explore how it applies to everything from coffee cups to kids’ lunchboxes.
🔁 One bottle, one refill = 68 million bottles saved
Alasdair puts it simply: if every person in the UK reused their plastic bottle just once, that’s 68 million fewer bottles in the system. That’s the power of reuse.
🥣 Reuse starts in your kitchen
From Tupperware to takeaway containers, soup flasks to trendy Stanley cups — our daily food and drink habits can either produce waste or eliminate it. Jane’s takeaway boxes now serve as lunch tubs, and Alasdair’s prepping his salads in reused plastic tubs. It’s small changes, made often.
☕ The coffee cup conundrum
The UK throws away 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups a year — that’s 7 million a day, creating 20,000 tonnes of waste. Projects like Glasgow’s Borrow Cup aim to tackle this, but reusable cup habits are still a work in progress especially when your cup’s at home and you’re not.
👚 Second-hand is smart
From charity shops to platforms like Vinted, eBay, and Depop, the reuse market is booming — especially among younger generations. And it’s not just individuals making an impact — back in Episode 57, with Anthony Burns from ACS Clothing, who shared how their entire business is built on clothing reuse, repair, and rental at scale. A powerful reminder that reuse isn’t just a personal choice — it’s a business model too.
🔧 Fix it before you bin it
Whether it’s a broken hoover, a coat with a torn zip, or a dodgy hedge trimmer, repair should be the first instinct — not replacement. Alasdair shouts out Circular Communities Scotland, who offer local repair and reuse options across a network of shops, libraries, and repair services.
📱 Tech waste is the next frontier
Phones, chargers, tablets… the world of fast tech is built for obsolescence. Alasdair’s rant about tangled charging cables says it all — we need better systems, longer-lasting tech, and easier repair options.
Rubbish Rant: Misleading Headlines
No, you won’t be fined £200 for recycling a toothpaste tube wrong.
This week’s rant is aimed squarely at the press. Alasdair calls out a recent newspaper headline warning UK households about a potential £200 fine for binning toothpaste tubes incorrectly under new recycling rules.
The reality is, these new rules (being rolled out in parts of England) are aimed at tackling serious contamination of recycling streams — things like nappies and dog waste in the wrong bins — not punishing people for the occasional slip-up.
Get Moving: Join the Rubbish Talk Strava Club 🏃🏼➡️
The Rubbish Talk Strava club is the perfect way to stay motivated and explore new routes—whether you’re tackling mountain trails or just sneaking in a quick walk. Lace up your trainers, catch up on Rubbish Talk episodes and stay tuned for weekly leaderboard posts!
We’re on YouTube! 📽️
Prefer to watch rather than listen? Don’t forget that Rubbish Talk is also on YouTube! Subscribe to our channel to catch episodes, highlights, and exclusive video content.
We would love feedback from our listeners! 💬
We are always eager for guest suggestions, general feedback as well as spreading the word about Rubbish Talk to friends, family, colleagues and others to help us reach a wider audience.
Help us spread the word about the Rubbish Talk Podcast! 🗣️
Your support helps us reach a wider audience and continue to provide valuable content on waste management and sustainability.
Additionally, if you have any guest suggestions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, we’d love to hear from you!
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your ideas and recommendations. Together, let’s make a positive impact in the waste management community. Thank you for your support!