News RoundupRenewables Overtake Coal as the World’s Top Power SourceAccording to BBC News, renewable energy — mainly solar and wind — has overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity for the first half of this year. While China and India lead the charge, richer nations like the US and EU are lagging behind. Jane shares her sunny holiday observations of solar panels in Greece, while Alasdair notes Scotland’s growing wind power and the massive investment needed to reconfigure the national grid.London’s Air Quality Hits Legal Targets for the First TimeFor the first time since 2010, nitrogen dioxide levels in London have dropped within legal limits — largely thanks to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Alasdair reminds listeners that these schemes are not just about climate change but public health, with air pollution linked to around 9,500 premature deaths annually in London alone.Fly-tipping or Just a Bit of Litter?One woman faced a £300 fine after putting an envelope in a public bin following an online collection. Thankfully, the council backed down — but it sparked debate over how far enforcement should go. As Alasdair points out, the right approach would’ve been to recycle the wrapper at a supermarket soft-plastics point.Fly-tippers Strike Again — 40 Tonnes of Waste Dumped on a FarmIn Essex, a farmer discovered 40 tonnes of suspected hazardous waste dumped on his land, facing a £26,000 bill to clear it. Alasdair and Jane discuss how waste crime like this is rising, often linked to unscrupulous operators dodging disposal fees — and how it unfairly penalises landowners.Topic: Waste Journeys – Food WasteThis week, Alasdair and Jane trace the journey of food waste through the anaerobic digestion (AD) process — where microbes transform leftovers into methane gas (used for energy) and digestate (used as fertiliser).With England introducing mandatory food waste collections by March 2026, the hosts explore how this system works and why it’s key to cutting carbon. Food waste makes up nearly 30% of household bins, half of which is avoidable — but when recycled, it becomes a valuable resource.Jane breaks down the biology: AD is a controlled, oxygen-free process where microbes “digest” food waste, producing biogas for electricity, heating, or vehicle fuel, and a nutrient-rich fertiliser to replace chemicals on farms.Alasdair explains the economics: AD plants now accept food waste for as little as £16 per tonne — or even pay for clean loads — compared to nearly £190 per tonne for landfill or incineration.The pair also discuss quality standards like PAS 110, contamination issues (tea bags, fruit stickers, and “biodegradable” liners that don’t actually degrade in AD), and why consistency in food inputs keeps the process healthy — for bugs and business alike.Key Takeaway: AD turns waste into value — but it only works if we do our bit. Separate your scraps, keep plastics out, and let nature do the rest.Rubbish Rant: Buffet Waste WoesThis week it’s Jane’s turn for a rant— and it’s about buffets.On holiday, she was shocked by how much untouched food people left on their plates. Her verdict? “You should only be allowed to go up for seconds if you’ve finished everything on your plate!”Alasdair agrees, noting that some hotels like Premier Inn have switched from buffet breakfasts to cooked-to-order meals to cut waste. Together, they call for a culture shift — less piling up, more portioning smartly. Because even when food is plentiful, waste shouldn’t be.

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