Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast
James Piper, Robbie Staniforth
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About This Podcast
"Toast this pair who are trying to make a difference one rubbish episode at a time" - The Independent
If you think recycling is boring, think again. James and Robbie are here to prove that recycling is not only important but also downright fun!
Ever wondered what happens to the lime in a recycled Corona bottle? Or, why a cucumber needs to be wrapped in plastic? The answers may surprise you.
James does the research, while Robbie brings his unfiltered knowledge to the table, making for an unexpectedly entertaining deep dive into the weird and wonderful world of recycling. From busting myths to answering the wildest questions, you’ll laugh, learn, and maybe even rethink what you toss in the bin.
“Eye-opening stuff and only rarely dry” - The Guardian
"Who knew rubbish could be so interesting" - Radio Times
"This podcast will make you smarter and greener" - The i
"Full of handy, informative insights" - Heat
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Recent Episodes
98. Should we ban ‘plastic-free’ packaging?
“Plastic-free” has become a powerful marketing claim, but is it always accurate? Following the EU’s formal definition of plastic, the term has come under greater scrutiny, raising questions about how…
97. Why we're getting reusable packaging wrong
Reusable packaging is gaining momentum across Europe, especially in France where ambitious reuse laws are reshaping retail and hospitality. Fresh from the Reuse Economy Expo in Paris, we discuss why…
96. How recycling is really funded
For nearly 30 years, the UK has operated a system designed to make brands contribute towards the cost of recycling through Packaging Recycling Notes (PRNs). This week, we take a closer look at how…
95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen
It’s a familiar frustration, ordering something small, only for it to arrive in a box far bigger than it needs; wasteful and seemingly impossible to avoid. This week, we’re joined by Jude Pullen, a…
94. From Kindle to kindling - how Big Tech creates waste
Amazon has announced that some older Kindles will soon lose support, turning devices that still physically work into obsolete products. It’s the latest example of a growing trend in tech, where…
93. The death of the barcode - a win for sustainability?
A quiet revolution is underway in our supermarkets, the familiar barcode is being replaced by QR codes. But this isn’t just a tech upgrade. These next-generation codes could transform how we shop,…
92. How the war in Iran is reshaping the plastic market
Since February, the war in Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil flows and sending shockwaves through industries worldwide. But amid the turmoil, an unexpected…
91. Is the Government driving up plastic use?
In recent years, the Government has been rolling out four major policies set to reshape the waste industry. But could these well-intentioned reforms have an unintended side effect, driving a shift…
90. Inside Netflix's 'The Plastic Detox' - the story beyond the screen, with Eric Isaac
Last month, Netflix released The Plastic Detox, which we reviewed in Episode 86, and it left us with a lot of questions. One of the film’s featured participants, Eric Isaac, got in touch to let us…
89. Is palm oil really that bad?
Palm oil has a notoriously bad reputation; mention it, and you’ll likely hear strong criticism, particularly if you manage the social media of a podcast that very recently discussed Cadbury’s Easter…
88. The truth behind ‘lost parcel’ reselling - scam or goldmine?
What happens to the parcels that never reach their buyers? A growing industry has an answer, reselling them as “mystery packages,” promising hidden treasures and unbeatable value. But do these…
87. Is expensive petrol driving people to electric cars?
As tensions rise in Iran, global oil prices are climbing, with potential knock-on effects for everyday costs. From higher petrol and diesel prices to wider economic pressures, the impact is becoming…
86. Netflix's 'The Plastic Detox' - what it gets right (and what it misses)
On 16 March 2026, Netflix released 'The Plastic Detox', a documentary examining the health impacts of chemicals commonly found in plastics, particularly phthalates and BPA. In this episode, we unpack…
85. Talking rubbish...with the man who collects it, the No. 1 Binman
With more than 160,000 followers on TikTok, Ashley might just be the most famous binman in the UK. In this episode, we sit down with the biggest binfluencer to talk about life on the rounds and how…
84. The BrewDog forest - climate solution or greenwashing?
In 2020, BrewDog made headlines with a bold promise; to plant Scotland’s largest forest and become the world’s first carbon-negative beer company. Five years later, the land has been sold, the…
83. Is climate collaboration illegal?
In October 2025, five US state attorneys general wrote to environmental organisations warning that their collaboration efforts could potentially breach antitrust laws. Their argument: consumers…
82. Is there a teaspoon of microplastics in our brains?
Last year, a study made startling headlines around the world with the claim that the average person carries the equivalent of a plastic teaspoon of microplastics in their brain. But how accurate is…
81. The sudden rise of food waste bins
Simpler Recycling promises the biggest shake-up to the UK’s recycling system since kerbside collections began. But despite ambitions for nationwide consistency, exemptions mean some councils may take…
80. How to remove colour from plastic, with Steven Burns
Much of the plastic packaging we use every day contains colours and additives that can be harmful, and that often prevent the plastic from being recycled at all. This week’s guest, Steven Burns, has…
79. How colour drains the value from plastic recycling
Colour can make plastic more eye-catching, but it can also make it far less valuable, dramatically reducing the chances that it will ever be recycled back into packaging. Despite this, brands…
Frequently Asked Questions
Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast has published 99 episodes since July 2024, covering topics in Documentary, Education.
Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 54m.
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