News Roundup
Plastics and Public Health
The Lancet Medical Journal warns that plastics are harming health at every stage of life and costing the global economy $1.5 trillion annually. Alasdair and Jane reflect on the alarming scale of plastic production and waste, and share their concerns over microplastics in everyday items like coffee cups and microwave meals.
Biffa Closes Sunderland Plastics Recycling Plant
Biffa has announced the closure of its Sunderland plastics recycling plant, following a similar closure by Viridor. These closures raise questions about the state of domestic plastic recycling. While companies are good at baling plastic, the UK still struggles to reprocess it domestically. Alasdair calls for a clearer distinction in recycling stats between materials that are processed and those that are simply prepared for export.
Joint Unit for Waste Crime Report
The Joint Unit for Waste Crime has released its 2024-2025 end-of-year report. The team conducted days of action that included vehicle stops and inspections across various sectors. While results show some enforcement, Alasdair remains underwhelmed by the scale, suggesting far more needs to be done to enforce duty of care and waste carrier licensing across the board.
Landfill Tax Reforms
New proposals from the Treasury and HMRC could see the lower rate of landfill tax phased out by 2030. This means inert materials like soils and rocks, previously taxed at £4.03 per tonne, could soon be subject to the full rate of £126.15 per tonne. Alasdair warns this could lead to more fly-tipping unless stronger infrastructure and support systems are in place.
Rubbish Rant: Skip Waste & Missed Opportunities
Jane takes the mic this week with a rant about wasteful skip contents she spotted in her village — cardboard, timber, and sizeable chunks of plasterboard that could have been reused.
She recalls a chat with a local builder who said reusing offcuts used to be standard practice. Now, it seems many are quick to toss materials that still have value. Even if a skip is sent to a recycling facility, Jane points out that only the large, obvious items are likely to be recovered — not the smaller reusable ones.
Alasdair ties it back to a recent conversation on The Gaffer podcast, where they discussed how better practices in construction could prevent so much unnecessary waste.
Key Takeaway: Reuse saves money and waste — if you’ve got leftover materials, think before you skip it.
Topic: Deep Dive into Plasterboard
This week’s episode takes a closer look at plasterboard—why it’s been banned from landfill since 2009, what the risks are, and how we can deal with it more responsibly.
The conversation was sparked by a viral TikTok video Alasdair posted, showing plasterboard being tossed into skips, which has garnered over 80,000 views and plenty of heated debate. Some commenters insisted they could throw anything into a skip because they were paying for it, while others argued the waste site would sort it out. But what’s the truth?
What is Plasterboard and Why the Fuss?
Jane breaks down the basics: plasterboard is made from gypsum sandwiched between sheets of paper, commonly used in construction for walls and ceilings. What many people don’t realise is that when gypsum breaks down in anaerobic (oxygen-free) landfill conditions, it produces hydrogen sulphide gas — a highly toxic substance. Just a small amount can be fatal and is difficult to detect at higher concentrations. That’s why plasterboard has been banned from landfill since 2009 in the UK.
Where Does Gypsum Come From?
While it’s a natural mineral, it’s also increasingly created from industrial processes like flue gas desulphurisation. It’s used in everything from building materials to fertilisers — which means we have a vested interest in recycling it effectively.
Can You Recycle It?
Yes — but only if it’s clean and segregated. Jane and Alasdair stress that plasterboard contaminated with tiles, wallpaper, or insulation often can’t be recycled. Dedicated recycling facilities and manufacturers like Knauf and British Gypsum offer take-back schemes, but only if the material is sorted properly. Mixed skips make it almost impossible to recover usable plasterboard.
Modern Complications
As construction methods evolve, so do the materials — many newer plasterboards now include foil or foam layers, which further complicate recycling. Alasdair points out that while these innovations are great for insulation, they make plasterboard less circular and more landfill-prone.
The Industry’s Role
The message is clear: producers, builders, and skip users all need to take responsibility. If you’re doing building work, talk to your waste contractor about plasterboard recycling. Segregating it at the source is the only reliable way to ensure it gets reused or recycled. Relying on a waste facility to fish it out later? That’s a gamble — and not one the environment can afford.
The Takeaway?
Segregate your plasterboard. Keep it clean. Ask your contractor where it’s going. Small changes can make a big difference — and might even lower your skip hire cost. Be kind to the waste system, and it’ll be kind to you.
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