John’s Take on Scotland’s Litter Strategy (Inspired by listener John’s response to Episode 81 of Rubbish Talk) Few people know the realities of waste and litter management better than John, a Rubbish Talk listener and guest on Episode 53. After hearing our recent episode on Episode 81, he shared his candid thoughts on Scotland’s …
John’s Reflections on White Goods and Waste Safety (Inspired by listener John Crawford’s email about Episode 81 of Rubbish Talk) Some stories from the early days of waste management are sobering reminders of how far safety and regulation have come — and how hard-won those lessons were. Long-time listener and former guest John …
The announcement yesterday that the enforcement of the Biodegradable Landfill ban Purpose was being delayed until 1st January 2028, got me thinking about where the landfill ban journey started and that was back in 2010 with the publication of Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan. At the time this was an ambitious, forward thinking plan with …
Landfill Ban Delay till 2028 – Where It Went Wrong? Read More »
(Inspired by an email from John Crawford, Rubbish Talk Listener and Guest on Episode 53) Every so often, one of our listeners takes us right back to the roots of waste collection — to the days when dustbins clanged, ash filled the air, and “health and safety” was a foreign concept. After tuning …
From Dustbins to Wheelie Bins: John’s Walk Down Memory Lane Read More »
The management of solid waste in the United Kingdom has undergone profound changes over the past two centuries, reflecting broader shifts in urbanisation, public health, technology, and environmental awareness. What began as rudimentary disposal methods has evolved into a highly regulated, multi-stream collection system designed to minimise environmental impact and promote resource recovery. In …
From Dustmen to Wheelie Bins: The Evolution of Household Waste Management in the UK Read More »
A new initiative has been announced, offering a £45,000 fund to support paper cup recycling projects across the UK. The scheme, backed by major high street brands including Costa Coffee, McDonald’s, Pret a Manger, Caffè Nero, Lavazza Professional, Greggs and Burger King, aims to encourage innovative approaches to tackling the country’s single-use cup problem. …
Paper Cup Recycling Fund: Token Gesture or Genuine Solution? Read More »
An opinion piece by John Crawford, Life Member CIWM FOR most council cleansing officers, the end of the summer holidays means reorganising weekday workloads to cope with clearing up the additional litter and mess left at secondary school gates after lunch breaks. Despite working in the business for decades I’d never been able to …
An opinion piece by John Crawford, Life Member CIWM Although our numbers dwindle year on year, there are still a few Members of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland who will recall the position we took in 1992 when it emerged that the Westminster Government intended to set up a new Scotland-wide organisation …
What you need to know Effective from 31 December 2025, landfill operators across Scotland will no longer be permitted to accept biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) for disposal. This milestone marks a significant step in Scotland’s journey toward a circular economy and sustainable waste management. What is Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW)? BMW typically includes household …
Scotland’s Biodegradable Municipal Waste Landfill Ban Read More »
Last year, we explored the varying cost of garden waste permit costs across Scotland’s councils. In 2024, 21 out of 32 councils charged residents for brown bin collections—a move aimed at recovering costs but fraught with inconsistency. In 2025, that number has grown, and many councils have revised their pricing, frequencies or service …
The Garden Waste Debate: Scotland’s Council Permits in 2025 Read More »
