Talking Rubbish - Recycled Content

This week’s Rubbish or Not looks at Carex handwash refill pouches, which use 85% less plastic than bottles. Carex says the pouches can be recycled if you “snip to recycle”, but listener Alison struggled to find where. The answer lies in the Recycle Now locator used on the Carex website; these pouches are usually classified as either “cleaning pouches” or “plastic bags and wrapping” (flexible plast...

When choosing aluminium foil, is it better to buy the one labelled "recyclable" or the one "made from recycled material"? In this episode, we unpack the difference between these two common claims and explore whether they're really telling consumers anything useful. We discuss why most aluminium already contains recycled content, why marketers choose one message over another, and whether recycled-c...

Scratch cards have been around for decades, but are they rubbish or not? In this episode, we look at what scratch cards are made from, how the scratch-off coating works, and whether scratching it away creates microplastics. Using a National Lottery scratch card as an example, we explore its recyclability, the materials involved, and whether digital alternatives might be the better option for regul...

This episode looks at pre-consumer recycling, inspired by a Paw Patrol toy labelled as being made with pre-consumer recycled plastic. Unlike post-consumer recycling, which uses materials collected from households, pre-consumer recycling uses manufacturing waste such as plastic offcuts and defective parts. We explore whether this should count as recycling or simply efficient manufacturing, and ask...

Are water pistols recyclable? Usually not in your kerbside recycling. Most are made from tough engineering plastics, likely ABS, which aren't commonly collected by local recycling schemes. If they're still usable, donation is the best option. If broken, your local recycling centre may be able to accept them. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 66 of Talking Rubbi...

Keep Britain Tidy estimates that around two million pieces of litter are dropped every day in the UK, with street cleaning costing taxpayers more than £1 billion annually. While most people understand that dropping rubbish can lead to a fine, the legal definition of litter is not always as clear-cut as it might seem. In this episode, we examine a case that challenged assumptions about what constit...

The iconic red Solo cup, from its surprisingly useful measurement ridges and budget-friendly polystyrene construction to the challenges of recycling a product that remains a staple of American parties. We explore the environmental impact of these cups, why they're still so common, and how their story reflects broader questions about convenience, waste, and disposable culture. This episode of Recyc...

Recycling is often criticised as a distraction from bigger environmental challenges, but is that really true? We explore the argument that recycling creates complacency and discuss why it remains an important part of a wider sustainability system. We examine the role of personal responsibility, policy, economics and behaviour change, and why reducing waste, improving recycling and tackling larger...

Are balloons really as harmless as they seem? James and Robbie take a closer look at the environmental impact of both foil and latex balloons, separating industry claims from reality. From complex multi-layer materials that make foil balloons impossible to recycle, to questions around whether latex balloons truly biodegrade, the episode explores what happens when balloons become waste and the risk...

How important are recycling bins when you're out and about? After a listener spotted a lack of recycling facilities in Bristol city centre, James and Robbie explore the impact of on-the-go recycling and what happens when the right bins aren't available. Featuring insights from Bristol Waste, the episode looks at the challenges of capturing recyclable materials away from home, the success of Bristo...

After initially assuming the recycling label was wrong, James revisits the topic and uncovers how Capri-Sun's newer screw-cap pouches earned certification as recyclable through OPRL and RECOUP's testing process. Along the way, the discussion explores what actually makes packaging recyclable, why some pouches can now go in your kerbside recycling, and how brands such as Heinz helped pave the way. I...

Why does your council want recycling dry, and does rain really make a difference? This week we revisit a surprisingly common recycling dilemma. We explore what happens when paper and cardboard get wet, why moisture makes sorting harder at recycling facilities, and whether a soggy box is destined for the bin. Plus, some practical tips for keeping your recycling in good shape, and a reminder that we...

Are yoghurt pots recyclable? From the days of hard-to-recycle polystyrene to today's PP and PET packaging, we look at how yoghurt pots have become a recycling success story. Plus, a surprisingly heated debate: are Rolo pots actually yoghurt pots, or are they mousse? This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 61 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 25th September 202...

When a family trip to Bewilderwood sparked a question about whether waste-to-energy is really better than landfill, we found ourselves revisiting one of the biggest debates in rubbish. We explore the trade-offs between incineration and landfill, the idea of landfill mining, and whether today's waste could become tomorrow's resource. Plus, a brilliant listener story about a 10-year-old podcast fan...

From shower poufs and loofahs to kitchen sponges, we dive into the surprisingly complicated world of cleaning tools. We untangle natural vs synthetic materials, what can (and can’t) be recycled, the ethics of sea sponges, and whether extending the life of your sponge is worth the effort. Expect cucumber relatives, plastic netting, and more sponge-related debate than you ever thought possible. This...

Aluminium foil should always be scrunched into a ball larger than a tennis ball so recycling systems can properly detect it. As for the printed colours and inks on foil packaging, they’re simply burned off during the recycling process as the aluminium is melted down and reused. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 58 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 4th...

Water filters can cut down on single-use plastic bottles, but the cartridges themselves are notoriously difficult to recycle. While most brands offer no easy recycling route, companies like Brita run take-back schemes where filters are dismantled and materials like plastic, activated carbon and ion exchangers are regenerated and reused, though these programmes are often brand-specific. This episod...

Folding soft plastics into neat little triangles might save space in your pocket, but it can actually make recycling harder. Flexible plastics need to stay loose and flat so sorting equipment can properly identify and process them, meaning your crisp-packet origami may be more harmful than helpful. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 57 of Talking Rubbish, whic...

BuzzBallz are popping up everywhere as litter, but their mixed plastic-and-aluminium design makes them a recycling nightmare. Despite claims they’re “100% recyclable,” the materials are difficult to separate, meaning they’re unlikely to be properly processed in most recycling systems, and they’re increasingly being found on roadsides and beaches. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish o...

A listeners council has expanded what can go in blue bins to include Tetra Paks, but dedicated carton recycling points may still give cartons the best chance of being properly recycled. While kerbside systems are improving, cartons remain tricky to sort and often require specialist facilities. In general, the more separated recycling streams are, the more effective the recycling process tends to b...

Keys have evolved from wood to metals like bronze and iron, with modern keys now typically made from durable, rust-resistant brass alloys. Because they’re not usually recyclable at home, old keys are best taken to a mixed metal recycling bin after removing any identifying tags. Their brass construction makes them strong yet soft enough to avoid damaging locks, and if you’d rather reuse them, they...

A listener got in touch after spotting a granola pouch labelled “100% recyclable from home” despite their local council not accepting flexible plastics in household recycling. After querying the manufacturer, they received a vague response suggesting the packaging was recyclable “by most councils” or at supermarket collection points. This is exactly the kind of confusing messaging we see all the t...

Play-Doh started life in the 1930s as a wallpaper cleaner, invented by Noah McVicker before his nephew turned it into a children’s toy. Today it’s owned by Hasbro, and while the company says it’s mainly made from flour, salt and water, commercial Play-Doh also contains preservatives, which probably means it belongs in general waste rather than food waste. Homemade is different though, if it’s just...

Ever noticed the small gaps in the thread of a fizzy drinks bottle? They’re designed to let pressure safely vent as you unscrew the cap. They became a news story after Walmart recalled around 850,000 reusable bottles that allegedly lacked this safety feature, with reports that pressurised lids caused serious eye injuries. A tiny bit of bottle design that turns out to be really important. This epis...

Cheese wax is a surprisingly tricky waste item. Babybel’s paraffin-based wax isn’t recyclable at home, although the company runs a Terracycle scheme that accepts everything from the wax to the nets and labels. Interestingly, under UK law, cheese wax isn’t even classed as packaging, because it’s considered part of the product itself rather than just something used to contain it. This episode of Rec...