

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 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
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 16, 2025 • 50min
25. Making the invisible, visible, with Alice Rackley from Polytag
This week, James and Robbie welcome Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, a groundbreaking company revolutionising plastic recycling with UV watermark technology. Trusted by major retailers like Aldi, Co-op, Ocado, and M&S, Polytag is set to cover 50% of UK domestic household recycling, driving significant change in the way we manage waste. Alice shares the story behind Polytag’s journey, explains the fascinating mechanics of their innovative barcodes, and discusses how this transparency impacts brands. Are companies embracing the data, or are they wary of the insights it reveals? As discussed in this episode we would love you to join our community on DiscordJoin 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 absolute rubbish from start to finish.To get exclusive videos and clips, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website
Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

5 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 52min
24. Are invisible barcodes the holy grail of plastic recycling?
Explore the innovative world of invisible barcodes, which promise to revolutionize plastic recycling by improving sorting accuracy. Discover the intricacies of battery recycling and the legal obligations retailers face. Delve into the recyclability of train tickets and the environmental impact of glitter, a seemingly harmless craft item that poses serious recycling challenges. Join a conversation full of humor and insights, making tough topics about waste management both engaging and entertaining!

Jan 2, 2025 • 55min
23. Recycling rewards - exploring Deposit Return Schemes
Explore the fascinating world of Deposit Return Schemes and how they might reshape our recycling habits. Discover the complexities of recycling electricals and why some flexible plastics can't be recycled. The hosts also ponder whether fireworks are truly rubbish and delve into the importance of consumer behavior in waste management. Plus, get insights into the varying recycling approaches across the UK, especially concerning glass. It's an entertaining journey through the quirks of recycling awareness!

Dec 26, 2024 • 59min
22. Green Christmas - unwrapping festive recycling
Ho Ho Ho, and merry Christmas to all our listeners! In this jam-packed Christmas special we deep dive into tubs of chocolate (we feel this might be both metaphorical and literal this week). Why do the tubs and tins need to be made with brand new materials? What are we meant to do with chocolate wrappers? Also, we explore the recyclability of Christmas trees (and yes, we will talk about artificial vs. real), can Christmas crackers be recycled and what exactly is the scrunch test?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 absolute rubbish from start to finish.To get exclusive videos and clips, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish websiteTimestamps:How are Christmas trees recycled? - 12:01What to do with tubs of chocolate - 25:12Rubbish or Not: Christmas crackers - 48:33What is the scrunch test? - 53:33
Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

Dec 19, 2024 • 47min
21. How sustainable is having a baby?
James has recently (and we mean very recently - like a week ago), become a father! This led him to think about the sustainability of having a baby and what steps he would put in place as a new dad to ensure his child grows up with a strong sustainability education. Plus, in this baby special, we explore how nappies are recycled, are wet wipes rubbish or not, and James has a question for Robbie.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 absolute rubbish from start to finish.To get exclusive videos and clips, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish websiteTimestamps:How are nappies recycled? - 11:04How sustainable is having a baby? - 20:49Rubbish or Not: Wet wipes - 40:00What advice would Robbie give James about fatherhood - 43:16
Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

Dec 12, 2024 • 54min
20. How to make packaging from seaweed, with Pierre Paslier from Notpla
This week, James and Robbie are joined by Pierre Paslier, co-founder of Notpla, a groundbreaking company turning seaweed into sustainable alternatives to plastic. After winning the prestigious Earthshot Prize in 2022, Notpla has been making waves in the fight against plastic pollution. In this episode, Pierre shares the fascinating journey from experimenting with caviar-inspired ideas in a kitchen to creating innovative packaging solutions now used in everyday takeaway boxes and cups. Get ready to be inspired by this story of creativity, science and impact! 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 absolute rubbish from start to finish.To get exclusive videos and clips, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee
Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

5 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 55min
19. Breaking down compostable plastic
The discussion dives into the growing trend of compostable plastics and their recycling challenges. Learn why these materials are complex to collect and the distinctions between biodegradable and compostable. The hosts also tackle the intricacies of recycling electrical appliances and explore the implications of mismanaging rubber bands and beer bottle lids. With humor and insight, they encourage listeners to rethink their recycling habits and understand sustainable packaging options.

Nov 28, 2024 • 52min
18. The true cost of deals - Black Friday’s environmental impact
It's that time of year again, Black Friday. Where did this manic sales season come from and how sustainable is it? In this episode, we discuss the growth of Black Friday and what the rise in online deliveries might be doing to our carbon emissions. Plus, we explore the history of pallets, are duvets and pillows rubbish or not, and we have a question about whether we ruined our recycling by turning it into Halloween decorations.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 absolute rubbish from start to finish.To get exclusive videos and clips, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website
Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

Nov 21, 2024 • 50min
17. Disposable vapes finally going up in smoke
Disposable vapes are set to be banned by June 2025, but with an estimated 150 million still in circulation until then, what happens to these devices once they’re tossed in the bin? In this episode, we dive into the life cycle of a disposable vape and the environmental impact of improper disposal. Plus, we explain what you should do with waste wood, are books rubbish or not, and we have a question about why we need to sort metal if it can be extracted from the incinerator anyway.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 absolute rubbish from start to finish.To get exclusive videos and clips, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish websiteMusic licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL
Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

Nov 14, 2024 • 52min
16. Burn or bury - how rubbish is incineration?
Recent reports suggest that it is better to landfill our waste, rather than sending it for incineration. Can this possibly be true? In this episode, we dive into the nuances behind these reports, examining some key flaws in both the data and assumptions. Plus, we explore how flexible plastic could replace wood, whether credit cards can be recycled, and we have a question about what to do with the plastic film on top of food trays.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 absolute rubbish from start to finish.To get exclusive videos and clips, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee
Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL


