This week on Rubbish Talk, Jane and Alasdair return with another News Roundup, taking a closer look at two of the biggest topics currently facing the waste and resources sector: Digital Waste Tracking and CIWM’s Think Again campaign. They also discuss the latest industry news, from nitrous oxide canisters and vape recycling to the Tartan Army’s tidy reputation.
Digital Waste Tracking – It’s Closer Than You Think
Digital Waste Tracking is fast approaching, with Phase 1 launching on 1 October 2026 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, followed by Scotland on 2 January 2027. Jane and Alasdair explain that while there’s still plenty of confusion across the sector, the Duty of Care system isn’t changing – it’s simply becoming digital.
Their advice is to make sure you’re already recording the required statutory information, start collecting it digitally if you haven’t already, and familiarise yourself with DEFRA’s upload process before the deadlines arrive. They also discuss some of the practical challenges smaller and remote sites may face.
Think Again – Changing the Story of Waste
Jane and Alasdair then take a deep dive into CIWM President Vicki Hughes’ Think Again campaign, which aims to transform how people view careers in the waste and resources sector over the next decade.
The campaign showcases the wide range of careers available across the industry and provides practical guidance for both job seekers and employers. Jane and Alasdair discuss why changing perceptions is key to attracting the next generation of talent and why the sector offers far more opportunities than many people realise.
News Roundup
Tartan Army praised for cleaning up after celebrations
Jane and Alasdair celebrate the positive publicity surrounding Scotland’s travelling fans after they were praised for leaving fan zones clean and litter-free. They agree that positive environmental stories deserve just as much attention as the negative ones.
Nitrous oxide canisters cause £4.7 million of damage to waste facilities
The pair discuss the growing problem of nitrous oxide canisters exploding inside bin lorries and waste facilities, causing injuries, equipment damage and significant downtime. They question why producers aren’t taking greater responsibility for products that continue to create major risks for the waste industry.
Could a £5 vape deposit improve recycling?
Following calls from the Environmental Services Association for a refundable £5 deposit on vapes, Jane and Alasdair debate whether the proposal would actually work. While they welcome ideas to improve recycling rates, they also discuss the practical challenges retailers could face and whether stronger producer responsibility would be a better long-term solution.
Rubbish Rant of the Week
This week’s rant returns to a familiar theme – the waste industry shouldn’t be left to deal with society’s problems on its own.
Whether it’s discarded vapes, lithium batteries or nitrous oxide canisters, Jane and Alasdair argue that producers need to take far greater responsibility for products that continue to cause fires, explosions and millions of pounds worth of damage across the UK’s waste infrastructure.
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