At Rubbish Talk, we’re passionate about cutting through the noise to bring you the latest on critical environmental issues, especially when it comes to tackling plastic waste. Last week’s Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea, were a pivotal moment in the fight against plastic pollution. While there were mixed outcomes, the talks highlighted …
Join us for a deep dive into Scotland’s waste management landscape, as presented by Alasdair Meldrum at the Resource in Scotland Conference on November 14th. This session explores Scotland’s waste production, recycling metrics, and opportunities for improvement within the industry. Key Points: Waste Production Overview: Scotland produces around 10 million tonnes of waste annually—roughly …
Resourcing Scotland Conference Introduction by Alasdair Meldrum Read More »
The Welsh Government is consulting on proposed changes to the criteria for the lower rate of Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT). This consultation seeks public input on refining the list of qualifying materials to ensure the lower rate is applied only to wastes that pose a lower environmental risk. Current Rates of Landfill Disposals Tax in …
Welsh Government Proposes Changes to Landfill Disposals Tax Read More »
Littering and fly tipping remain significant environmental challenges in Scotland, with substantial efforts focused on reducing these issues through enforcement mechanisms. However, a review of the current enforcement practices reveals both strengths and areas in need of improvement. Littering and fly tipping have long plagued urban and rural areas, causing environmental degradation and public …
Review of Enforcement of Litter and Flytipping Offences in Scotland – By Helanna Cooper Read More »
The Scottish Parliament has recently passed the landmark Circular Economy Bill, a significant step towards transforming the way Scotland manages its resources and waste. This comprehensive legislation aims to foster a sustainable, circular economy by introducing a range of measures designed to reduce waste, increase recycling, and promote the reuse of materials. Here’s a …
The Circular Economy Bill: A New Era for Sustainability in Scotland Read More »
There can’t be many folk who voted for the Scottish Green Party who aren’t mystified or disappointed by the recent priorities of their List MSPs. But what exactly should the electorate expect of them? Here are some suggestions. Accept that Scotland’s contribution to global emissions is under 0.1% so any significant changes we might …
“What should a proper Green MSP be doing?”Written by John Crawford CIWM Life Member Read More »
The Garden Waste Debate: Exploring Scotland’s Permit System In recent years, many councils across Scotland have implemented a permit system for garden waste collection, raising questions about its effectiveness and fairness. With 21 out of 32 councils now charging for garden waste collection, it’s crucial to examine whether these permits are a sensible …
The Garden Waste Debate: Exploring Scotland’s Permit System Read More »
Mitigating Microplastics John Ferguson, Head of Strategy at Binn Eco Park in Tayside, Scotland, unwraps microplastics recovery from polymer recycling operations. Much has been written about microplastics in recent decades as they proliferate across all aquatic and terrestrial eco-systems, posing profound ecological and human health risks. Microplastics originate from various sources, including the breakdown …
With the news that Conwy Council is threatening to fine householders £100 for not recycling, is it now time for Scottish Government or local authorities in Scotland to do the same? Having reviewed the it got me back thinking about and re visiting an old hobby horse of mine – Albion know from the waste …
An on the spot blog written by Alasdair Meldrum during a recent wander in Glasgow’s City Centre. I had a wee wander up Sauchiehall Street at the weekend, one of the main streets in Glasgow city centre. My mind drifted back to late 80’s when I arrived in Glasgow for my first year at …
