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PODCAST

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

James Piper, Robbie Staniforth

"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

education how to

All Episodes

00:55:15

73. Battery fires - the growing problem within recycling

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/12/18

Imagine accidentally starting a fire that caused £30 million in damage and destroyed 60,000 tonnes of UK recycling, and never even knowing you did it. This is the hidden danger of battery fires, and unfortunately a true story. In recent years, the number of fires caused by batteries have more than doubled as batteries become more powerful and increasingly hazardous. Nowhere is this risk greater than in the waste and recycling industry, where a single misplaced battery can ignite during collection or

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00:53:58

72. Why labels on bottles could ruin our recycling

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/12/11

In 2017, Lucozade bottles were branded a “recycling villain”, not because of the bottle itself, but because the label wrapped around it was stopping the whole thing from being recycled. How can a simple label cause such a big problem, and why are brands often slow to fix issues like this? In this episode, we dive into the surprisingly technical world of packaging labels and uncover why even small changes are far more complex than they seem. Plus, are effervescent tablet tubes rubbish or not, should

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00:59:39

71. Dirty business - is waste crime on the rise?

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/12/04

A vast illegal waste dump in Oxfordshire, stretching 150 metres and sinking two storeys deep, has sent shockwaves through the waste industry. It’s a stark reminder of one of the sector’s most persistent challenges: organised waste crime. How could a site of this scale emerge unnoticed and unchallenged? Why did it take the Environment Agency more than three months to formally shut it down? With incidents of large-scale fly-tipping on the rise, what does this mean for the future of waste management

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00:52:49

70. Behind the scenes of sustainable TV production,...

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/11/27

With nearly 200,000 tonnes of direct carbon emissions linked to the UK TV and film industry in 2024, sustainability is quickly becoming an urgent priority. This week’s guest, Stephanie Shires, has helped deliver major carbon-reduction initiatives on some of the biggest shows currently on television. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at how environmental impact is managed on set, from food and transport, to accommodation and daily logistics. Steph breaks down the practical decisions she faces each

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00:58:55

69. Green Screen - the carbon footprint of TV

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/11/20

The world of television is a carbon minefield, packed with travel, fuel use, catering demands, high-maintenance talent and crews racing against the clock. So how is albert reshaping the industry? Does carbon tracking genuinely drive change, or has it become just another box to tick? In this episode, we go behind the scenes to uncover the challenges, innovations and everyday decisions that could make our favourite TV programmes far more sustainable. Plus, are fire extinguishers rubbish or not, what

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00:57:10

68. Sustainable toilet paper - getting to the bottom...

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/11/13

In recent years, toilet rolls wrapped in paper instead of plastic have been hailed as the eco-friendly choice. But in most industries, individually wrapping products is seen as wasteful, so why does toilet paper get a free pass? In this episode, we unravel the surprisingly complicated world of “sustainable” loo roll. From eco brands to supermarket staples, we’ll find out which options really wipe the floor with the rest. Plus, are Carex refill pouches rubbish or not, should we flush or bin snotty

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00:50:54

67. Will there really be more plastic than fish in...

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/11/06

In 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation made a striking prediction: by 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. The claim spread like wildfire, appearing in headlines, reports, and speeches around the world. But is it true, or just a catchy soundbite? In this episode, we dive into how scientists estimate the weight of plastic and fish in the ocean, what those numbers really mean, and whether this alarming forecast holds water. Plus, are scratchcards rubbish or not, which aluminium

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00:55:13

66. Who should win the Earthshot prize?

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/10/30

Launched in 2021, the Earthshot Prize has quickly become one of the most influential awards in global sustainability. Each year, it celebrates groundbreaking companies and visionary projects that embody the best of human ingenuity. In this episode, we explore who might take home the prize in 2025, why the money itself may matter less than you’d think, and whether spotlighting a single winner truly serves the bigger picture of lasting change. Plus, are water pistols rubbish or not, what is

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00:57:54

65. Recycling realities in the Global South, with...

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/10/23

With over 17,000 islands, 34,000 miles of coastline, and limited formal waste management, Indonesia faces an immense waste challenge, one that’s compounded by imports of foreign waste from countries like the UK. This week’s guest, Esther Carter (recently named #1 on the Resource Hot 100), shares insights from her time living and working in Indonesia, offering a first-hand perspective on how the crisis unfolds on the ground. In this wide-ranging conversation, we dig into the realities of waste

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00:57:10

64. Why is recycling so hard in America?

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/10/16

Fresh from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition conference in Boston, we dive into America’s focus on EPR, flexible plastics, and consumer engagement. Don’t miss our biggest takeaways from this influential event. Plus, are red Solo cups rubbish or not, does pouring a drink down a drain count as littering, and why is James annoyed at his son?Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk

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00:58:20

63. Waste on a plane - how airlines manage recycling

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/10/09

Each year, airlines generate more than 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste, much of it disappearing “out of sight, out of mind.” But behind those discarded coffee cups and meal trays lies a tangle of international regulations and border controls that make recycling very challenging. In this episode, we unpack the complex world of in-flight waste, explore why even recyclable materials are often treated as high-risk, and reveal the surprising barriers preventing airlines from improving. Plus, are

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00:55:51

Why toothpaste tubes can finally be recycled

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/10/02

In a seismic shift that really damages the credibility of 'The Rubbish Book', toothpaste tubes can now be recycled. But what changed to make an entire product category recyclable, and what could this mean for other similar products in the future? In this episode, we squeeze out every last detail, from collection and sorting to recycling innovations and the consumer messaging that makes it all work. Plus, are Capri-Sun pouches rubbish or not, how does a lack of on-the-go bins affect recycling rates,

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00:56:42

Labubu - the rise and risks of blind box packaging

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/09/25

The blind box market is booming, valued at more than $15 billion, with over 10 million Labubu dolls sold each month. But behind the thrill of surprise lies something darker, a system fuelled by FOMO and overconsumption. In this episode, we unbox the packaging to uncover the hidden psychology of blind boxes. Plus, are yoghurt pots rubbish or not, can wet cardboard be recycled, and is Robbie a secret video game model?Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of

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00:58:25

FlexCollect - closing the loop on flexible plastic,...

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/09/18

Over 160,000 households across 10 local authorities have been trialling flexible plastic collections. The early results are promising: strong participation, positive resident feedback, and low contamination rates. But while 400 tonnes have been collected so far, that figure pales in comparison to the estimated 150,000 tonnes expected once all councils are required to collect this material from 2027. Gareth Morton from Ecosurety joins us to explain how the system will scale to meet this surge, and

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00:58:38

How we made flexible plastic recycling valuable

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/09/11

Recycling flexible (or soft) plastics has long been a challenge; costly, labour-intensive, and difficult to scale. In this episode, we explore how major UK brands came together to fund groundbreaking work that helped make supermarket collection of these plastics possible, paving the way for household recycling in the future. James and Robbie, two of the key drivers behind the initiative, take you behind the scenes to share the challenges, breakthroughs, and impact of this collaborative effort. Plus,

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00:58:58

Why plastic recycling isn't working

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/09/04

Plastic recycling is facing breaking point. Financial models aren’t adding up, legislation has stalled, and major brands are dialling back their commitments. With recyclers shutting their doors, we explore why the system is faltering, how the crisis could reshape the industry, and what it all means for the future of plastic. Plus, are water filters rubbish or not, what happens to the print on aluminium, and why are we not able to visit wet wipe island anymore?Join hosts James Piper and Robbie

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00:55:31

Why the UN Plastic Treaty failed...again!

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/08/28

Hailed as a landmark effort to curb plastic pollution, the plastic treaty was supposed to unite nations around a binding plan to cut production, improve recycling, and reduce waste. But as talks dragged on, the deal collapsed under competing interests, petrochemical producers on one side, environmental advocates on the other. We break down what went wrong, why powerful industries fought to water down the agreement, and what the failure means for the future of global environmental policy. Plus, are

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00:57:04

Is aluminium the ultimate packaging?

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/08/21

Aluminium packaging is on the rise, moving beyond drinks cans and into products once dominated by plastic. But is it really the sustainable hero it’s made out to be? This episode unpacks the hidden costs and challenges behind the growth of aluminium, from its energy-intensive production to supply constraints, while also exploring its potential to transform the future of packaging. Join us as we weigh the pros and cons of a material that might just shape tomorrow’s shelves. Plus, are keys rubbish or

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00:49:23

How brands got us hooked on plastic, with Saabira...

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/08/14

This week’s guest, Saabira Chaudhuri, author of Consumed: How Big Brands Got Us Hooked on Plastic, takes us on a fascinating journey through the meteoric rise of plastic. From the quirks of history that propelled it past every rival material, to the boardroom decisions that sealed its fate, we uncover how plastic became the world’s go-to choice, and what we might do differently if we could start again.Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully

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00:53:08

54. Sachets - the true cost of convenience

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast ·

2025/08/07

In the UK, sachets might seem like a small, insignificant problem but across the world, they're anything but. In countries like India, sachets are the primary packaging for a wide range of everyday products. Globally, an estimated 855 billion are used every year. This week, we delve into the surprising history of the sachet, how it became a major contributor to global plastic waste, and whether there’s any case to be made in its defence. Plus, is Play-Doh rubbish or not, what should we do when we

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74 results

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