Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

Often ignored and rarely understood, landfills are one of the most fascinating components of our waste system. In this episode, we dig deep (literally and metaphorically) into how landfills actually work, how they get closed when they are full, and why they need looking after for decades after the last piece of rubbish is dealt with. Out of sight doesn’t have to mean out of mind. Plus, are sandwic...

New research suggests that glass bottles may contain more microplastics than plastic bottles or aluminium cans, but how is that even possible? We dive into where these plastics are coming from, why the media is not highlighting this surprising fact, and what it tells us about the hidden complexities of packaging. Plus, are cocktail sticks rubbish or not, do we actually need to put a bin liner in o...

We’re thrilled to mark our 50th episode with a very special guest: renowned climate expert and communicator, Mike Berners-Lee. In this milestone conversation, we dive into his latest book, A Climate of Truth , which challenges governments, the media, and all of us to confront climate issues with honesty, urgency, and clarity. His call for truth-telling deeply aligns with our own mission of promoti...

Carbon offsetting has sparked both enthusiasm and scepticism in recent years. Is it a vital source of funding for crucial climate projects, or just a clever form of greenwashing? In this episode, we unpack what it takes to create a carbon offset, why the process is so complex, and how growing scrutiny is reshaping the market. Plus, are Ozempic pens rubbish or not, do we need to remove the security...

It’s Glastonbury! As festival season kicks off, so does a tidal wave of waste, but also a chance for change. Festivals create a unique, closed environment ideal for using compostable plastics, reusable packaging, and cutting-edge sustainability tech. This week, we dive into the most exciting eco-initiatives happening on the festival circuit and ask: how do they stack up against the giant that is G...

Flats and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) have long posed a challenge for the recycling industry, with high contamination rates and varied attitudes toward waste separation. In this episode, we explore what recent trials have revealed about improving recycling in these tricky settings and how much of a difference these changes could make across the UK. Plus, are pens rubbish or not, what actu...

Greenwashing. It's a term we’re hearing far too often, especially about brands that should know better. In this episode, we unpack how slick marketing turns cost-cutting and empty promises into the illusion of sustainability. From misleading campaigns to carefully buried truths, we reveal how companies exploit eco-conscious consumers in the name of profit. With real-world examples and practic...

This week on the podcast, James and Robbie sit down with Alice Harlock from OPRL, the organisation behind those “recycle” or “do not recycle” labels on packaging. We increasingly rely on these labels to guide our recycling habits, but how do they stay accurate in a world of constantly changing local rules and slow packaging timelines? Alice shares the challenges and surprising complexities behind...

As part of sweeping new recycling legislation, the UK Government is rolling out the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), a traffic light system rating how recyclable packaging really is. But is it any government’s job to steer material choices, or should markets decide? Could this stifle innovation in emerging materials without established recycling infrastructure? And does a weight-based s...

Last month, headlines sounded the alarm: 'Plastic causes heart disease!' Scary? Definitely. But as usual, the reality is far more complex than the clickbait. What kind of plastic are we talking about? How exactly are we exposed to it? And if it’s so harmful, why are we still making it? In this episode, we cut through the noise, unpack the science, and explore the big questions behind the...

The widely cited statistic that just 9% of plastic is recycled has become a common talking point, but how accurate is it? In this episode, we unpack the truth behind the number and explore the complex world of plastic recycling. From the recycling-friendly plastic bottle to the problematic flexible films, not all plastics are created equal, and neither are the recycling efforts of countries around...

Robbie is back from a Global Expert Mission to South Africa, where he explored the challenges and innovations shaping plastic recycling and sustainability. In this episode, he shares eye-opening insights from his trip, from the realities of landfills and the role of waste reclaimers to the impact of voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and how businesses are embracing recycled...

Our first ever live episode, recorded at the NEC in Birmingham during Packaging Innovations! In this special episode, James and Robbie are joined by Will Connolly from Diageo, the creative force behind the paper-based packaging for iconic brands like Johnnie Walker and Baileys. Together, we dive deeper into the world of paperisation , exploring why paper bottles are gaining momentum, the challenge...

The shift from plastic to paper is gaining momentum as brands look for more sustainable packaging, but is paper really the better option? This episode digs beneath the surface of the paper trend, uncovering hidden environmental concerns like increasing monoculture forests,  water use and the carbon impact of paper. Plus, we also dive into how textiles are recycled, whether tracing paper is rubbish...

The recycling league tables are in! Recycling rates are on the rise, but there is a twist; the actual amount of packaging being recycled is going down. Confused? So were we. In this episode, we unpack this surprising contradiction and dive into the data. Which regions in England are leading the charge, and which are falling behind? And more importantly, why? Plus, we explore the sorting of textile...

Happy National Pet Day! In this special episode, we're celebrating our beloved furry companions while exploring how to care for them in a more eco-friendly way. From sustainable pet diets to the best plastics for waste disposal, we’ll share simple tips to reduce your pet’s pawprint on the planet. Plus, how are pet food pouches recycled, are dog toys rubbish or not and can you compost dog poo?...

Despite years of effort, reusable cup initiatives have struggled to break through, often dismissed as 'interesting but not scalable'. Some coffee shops have even banned single-use cups, only to watch their sales drop. So, what’s really holding reuse back? And can we ever make it the norm? In this episode, we dive into the successes, setbacks, and lessons learned from the push for reusabl...

This week on the podcast, James and Robbie dive deeper into the world of coffee cups with special guest Rob Tilsley from James Cropper, a UK pioneer in coffee cup recycling. Together, they unpack the hidden economics behind plastic-lined cups versus innovative new coatings, reveal how brands and retailers have been quietly working to collect our used cups for longer than we realise, and uncover th...

We get through a staggering 3.2 billion single-use paper coffee cups every year and most of us assume they’re easily recyclable. But the reality? It’s not that simple. In this episode, we unpack why coffee cups are so hard to recycle, why they need to be collected separately, and what role those tricky plastic coatings play. Listen to find out what you should be doing with your cup once you’ve fin...

Ocean plastic pollution is a massive problem, but it’s even worse than we think. Many imagine vast islands of floating rubbish, easy to scoop up and remove. The reality? Most of it is nearly invisible, scattered from the surface to the deepest trenches. On today’s episode of Talking Rubbish, we uncover the shocking truth about ocean plastic and why cleaning it up is far more complicated than it se...

It was only a matter of time before a Trump policy made its way onto Talking Rubbish, his ‘BACK TO PLASTIC’ post on social media sealed the deal. This week, we’re diving into the much-vilified drinking straw. What’s the best material for it? Is there any logic in returning to plastic? And why are we so strangely obsessed with straws in the first place? Plus, how are tyres recycled, are glass candl...

With a wave of new recycling legislation on the horizon, weight-based costs are set to become the norm. Could this spell the end of glass packaging as companies pivot to lighter paper and plastic alternatives? In this episode, we break down four key pieces of legislation coming in the next few years and explore how they could reshape the packaging industry, and the products we buy every day. Plus,...

This week, James and Robbie welcome Stuart Goldsmith, a climate comedian. Stuart has performed comedy on TV around the world, including on Live At The Apollo, Conan, and Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central.​ He now uses his material on climate to support sustainability teams of large organisations, and turn dread into hope and action. Lots of fun was had recording this episode, consider this your co...

Bristol is considering a shift to a 4-weekly general bin collection. What’s behind this decision, and how could it help boost recycling rates? In this episode, we dive into the strategies councils are using to optimise waste collections, examining those getting it right and others that still have room for improvement in the ongoing search for the ideal frequency of collection. Plus, how is garden...

How can a plastic be banned in some countries and be mandatory in others? This is the conundrum of oxo-degradable plastic. This week Talking Rubbish attempts to demystify this particular plastic; explaining what it is, how it works and most importantly discussing whether it should exist. Plus, we dig into how garden waste is collected, is the netting around oranges rubbish or not, and what should...