Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

James Piper, Robbie Staniforth
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"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

  1. 78. Birmingham bin strike - what happens when waste piles up?

    6 DAYS AGO

    78. Birmingham bin strike - what happens when waste piles up?

    A year ago, Birmingham’s bin workers walked out, and the city began to fill with rubbish. What started as a dispute over changes to job progression escalated into industrial action that left up to 17,000 tonnes of waste piling up on the streets. One year on, we revisit the strike to ask what’s changed, what hasn’t, and who has paid the price. How has the dispute shaped public trust, city services, and the future of waste collection? And with major recycling legislation on the horizon, is it time for the standoff to finally end, or is the dispute far from over? Plus, are lighters rubbish or not, why is compostable packaging not compostable in California, and why was James interviewed for the wrong segment on BBC Radio 4? 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. We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Birmingham bin strike - 02:54 Additions and corrections - 34:49 Rubbish or Not: lighter - 43:03 Rubbish News - 46:23 Why is compostable plastic not compostable in California? - 50:52 Residual Rubbish - 54:04 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    59 min
  2. 77. Is recycling a scam?

    15 JAN

    77. Is recycling a scam?

    “It’s all burned. It’s all shipped to Turkey. Recycling is a myth.” We hear these claims all the time, that our carefully sorted waste ends up in landfill or incinerators, and that recycling is basically pointless. But how much of that is actually true? This week, we dig into the reality behind the headlines. Where does our recycling really go? Does cleaning and sorting your waste make any difference at all? And is there still a reason to bother? We debate the myths, unpack the facts, and, spoiler alert, aim to leave you feeling hopeful that looking after your rubbish is still worth the effort. Plus, are tea light candle holders rubbish or not, is a dead battery still a fire risk, and why is a $4,000 deposit return scheme not working for the litter on Mount Everest? 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. We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Is recycling a scam? - 02:08 Additions and corrections - 31:53 Rubbish or Not: tea light candle holders - 41:02 Rubbish News - 43:00 Is a dead battery still dangerous? - 49:16 Residual Rubbish - 52:11 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    58 min
  3. 76. Why your council tax isn't paying for your recycling anymore

    8 JAN

    76. Why your council tax isn't paying for your recycling anymore

    New legislation is shifting the cost of recycling from taxpayers to the brands that create packaging in the first place. After decades of public funding, producers are now being asked to pay, but rolling out a brand-new system hasn’t been seamless. As the system settles, fees are being tied directly to how recyclable packaging is, a move that could reshape the packaging we see and buy every day. Plus, are glow sticks rubbish or not, why can we recycle aerosol cans at home but not gas canisters, and why was Robbie a bit too bold on council glass collections.  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. We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Why your council tax isn't paying for your recycling anymore - 02:49 Additions and corrections - 34:35 Rubbish or Not: glow sticks - 43:01 Rubbish News - 48:04 Why can we recycle aerosol cans but not gas canisters? - 51:48 Residual Rubbish - 53:32 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    59 min
  4. 75. Sustainability around the world, with Ellie Piper

    1 JAN

    75. Sustainability around the world, with Ellie Piper

    In 2021, Ellie and James left their jobs and spent 15 months travelling around the world. Along the way, they paid close attention to how sustainability showed up in practice; what worked, what didn’t, and what felt worth questioning. In this New Year’s episode, Ellie joins Robbie and James to reflect on the trip. They revisit it continent by continent, each sharing one idea or observation that stuck with them. The conversation covers travel, perspective, and what they took away from the experience. 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. Sign our very first pootition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/poo We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp, our number is 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    59 min
  5. 74. Should LEGO use recycled plastic?

    25/12/2025

    74. Should LEGO use recycled plastic?

    In 2021, LEGO announced an ambitious plan to make its iconic bricks from recycled plastic bottles. Just two years later, the project was quietly scrapped. Why did it fail and why might that decision actually be a good thing? In this festive episode, we take a closer look at the UK’s number one toy brand and the sustainability initiatives behind its efforts to make a plastic toy more circular. Plus, are advent calendars rubbish or not, what should we do with compostable plastic, and why has Robbie been litter-picking Santa hats? 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. We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Should LEGO use recycled plastic? - 02:28 Additions and corrections - 28:29 Rubbish or Not: advent calendars - 37:27 Rubbish News - 41:25 What should you do with compostable plastic? - 45:15 Residual Rubbish - 50:40 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    1 hr
  6. 73. Battery fires - the growing problem within recycling

    18/12/2025

    73. Battery fires - the growing problem within recycling

    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 processing. In this episode, we uncover how our current recycling systems are fuelling these fires and, crucially, what simple steps we can all take to make sure we’re not the ones who start the next one. Plus, are nitrous oxide canisters rubbish or not, can you recycle brittle bottles, and why has James been rummaging through a bin store in Tenerife? 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. We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Battery fires - 04:23 Additions and corrections - 28:08 Rubbish or Not: nitrous oxide canisters - 35:47 Rubbish News - 41:56 Can you recycle brittle bottles? - 47:18 Residual Rubbish - 50:07 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    55 min
  7. 72. Why labels on bottles could ruin our recycling

    11/12/2025

    72. Why labels on bottles could ruin our recycling

    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 we dye our clothes, and why is Greggs in our bad books. 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. We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Why labels on bottles could prevent recycling - 02:42 Additions and corrections - 25:12 Rubbish or Not: effervescent tablet tubes - 34:28 Rubbish News - 37:46 Is it better to dye our clothes or re-buy? - 43:00 Residual Rubbish - 49:22 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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

    04/12/2025

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

    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? Join us as we explore the growing shadow economy of waste crime and discuss the forces driving it. Plus, are postage stamps (and their books) rubbish or not, would we really recommend plastic over paper, and why is James fighting with an AI chatbot? 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. We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or 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 WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Is waste crime on the rise? - 02:21 Additions and corrections - 27:55 Rubbish or Not: postage stamps - 36:08 Rubbish News - 39:31 Are we really recommending plastic over paper? - 46:31 Residual Rubbish - 54:40 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    1 hr
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4.9
out of 5
203 Ratings

About

"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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