Last 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 …
Rubbish Talk Episode 101: 100 Years of Waste in Scotland (Part 2) Read More »
We’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 …
Rubbish Talk Episode 100: 100 Years of Waste in Scotland (Part 1) Read More »
This 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, …
Rubbish Talk Episode 99: Future of Waste: Student Voices from Edinburgh Read More »
This 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 …
Rubbish Talk Episode 98: Future of Waste: Student Voices from Edinburgh Read More »
News Roundup GAP Group launches UK-wide insulation panel recycling service GAP 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 with Nigel Tomlinson, highlighting how specialist treatment is becoming increasingly important …
Rubbish Talk Episode 97: The Waste Journey of Cooking Oil Read More »
News Roundup Council leader receives threats over recycling vote A council leader in Wiltshire has reportedly received threats after proposing the closure of two recycling centres. Alasdair and Jane highlight how emotional and controversial HWRC changes can become but agree that threatening behaviour is never acceptable — especially when local authorities are trying to manage sites that are …
Rubbish Talk Episode 96: Waste Journey of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) Read More »
This week on Rubbish Talk, Alasdair and Jane follow the waste journey of one of the most common (and most misunderstood) materials we all rely on: tyres. From collection and processing, to recycling markets and the darker side of exports, it’s a fascinating look at what really happens once your tyres are worn out. …
News Roundup Court 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 Deposit Return Scheme, 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 …
Rubbish Talk Episode 94: Waste Journey of Textiles Read More »
As 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-Up Landfill Collapse Exposes the Human Cost of Waste …
Rubbish Talk Episode 93: Be More Sustainable in 2026 Read More »
Episode 92 kicks off 2026 with a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation as Alasdair is joined by Vicki Hughes, Managing Director of McPhee Associates, Board Member of the Wood Recycling Association (WRA), and Vice President of the Chartered Institution of Waste Management (CIWM). With decades of experience across wood recycling, business development, and sector leadership, …
