Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast
"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
Episodes
108 episodes
107. Why our bins keep catching fire
Fires at waste and recycling sites are becoming increasingly common, with batteries, vapes and gas canisters ending up where they shouldn’t. In this episode, we look at why our bins now contain more energy than ever before, why awareness alone ...
106. Why your fridge is making you waste food
Could your fridge actually be causing food waste? This week, we explore the psychology behind the modern fridge, why bigger shelves and hidden drawers can encourage us to buy more than we need, and how simply forgetting what's at the back may b...
105. The free food app rescuing millions of meals, with Tessa Clarke from Olio
Food waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges we rarely talk about, with the average UK household throwing away around £1,000 worth of perfectly good food every year. In this episode, we are joined by Tessa Clarke, co-founder of Oli...
104. Why flexible plastic might never be recycled
In 2022, the Government committed to introducing kerbside collections for flexible plastics by 2027. Last week, that deadline was pushed back to 2030, a decision that has left James and Robbie, who have spent years preparing for the original ti...
103. PFAS - what you need to know about forever chemicals
Forever chemicals have become a major focus in the media, with growing concern about PFAS turning up in our food, drinking water, and everyday products. But how much of the alarm is justified? How real are the risks, and is this something that ...
102. Greenwashing exposed - what Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein got wrong
Last month Adidas, Uniqlo, and Calvin Klein all came under scrutiny for making misleading environmental claims. What did they actually say and what do these cases reveal about the future of sustainability marketing? This week, we take a deeper ...
101. PPWR - why packaging will never be the same
From August 2026, the packaging industry enters a new era with the rollout of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation). In this episode, we break down what the new rules mean in practice, explore the biggest changes brands need to pr...
100 episodes later...still Talking Rubbish
We’ve made it to Episode 100!Reaching this milestone gave us a chance to pause and reflect on the journey so far. Joined by a live online audience for the recording, we look back on the first 100 episodes, introduce a new feature for the...
99. Why cartons aren't being recycled
Cartons are a staple of everyday life, but they're far more complicated than they appear. Made from layers of paper, plastic and sometimes aluminium, they're designed to keep food fresh and lightweight to transport, but that same design makes t...
98. Should we ban ‘plastic-free’ packaging?
“Plastic-free” has become a powerful marketing claim, but is it always accurate? Following the EU’s formal definition of plastic, the term has come under greater scrutiny, raising questions about how it is used and understood. In this episode, ...
97. Why we're getting reusable packaging wrong
Reusable packaging is gaining momentum across Europe, especially in France where ambitious reuse laws are reshaping retail and hospitality. Fresh from the Reuse Economy Expo in Paris, we discuss why we believe much of the industry is over-engin...
96. How recycling is really funded
For nearly 30 years, the UK has operated a system designed to make brands contribute towards the cost of recycling through Packaging Recycling Notes (PRNs). This week, we take a closer look at how the system really works, where it succeeds, whe...
95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen
It’s a familiar frustration, ordering something small, only for it to arrive in a box far bigger than it needs; wasteful and seemingly impossible to avoid. This week, we’re joined by Jude Pullen, a man on a mission to change that. Join us as we...
94. From Kindle to kindling - how Big Tech creates waste
Amazon has announced that some older Kindles will soon lose support, turning devices that still physically work into obsolete products. It’s the latest example of a growing trend in tech, where companies phase out support and push consumers tow...
93. The death of the barcode - a win for sustainability?
A quiet revolution is underway in our supermarkets, the familiar barcode is being replaced by QR codes. But this isn’t just a tech upgrade. These next-generation codes could transform how we shop, unlocking detailed product information, improvi...
92. How the war in Iran is reshaping the plastic market
Since February, the war in Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil flows and sending shockwaves through industries worldwide. But amid the turmoil, an unexpected consequence has emerged, recycled plastic is be...
91. Is the Government driving up plastic use?
In recent years, the Government has been rolling out four major policies set to reshape the waste industry. But could these well-intentioned reforms have an unintended side effect, driving a shift towards more plastic? In this episode, we explo...
90. Inside Netflix's 'The Plastic Detox' - the story beyond the screen, with Eric Isaac
Last month, Netflix released The Plastic Detox, which we reviewed in Episode 86, and it left us with a lot of questions. One of the film’s featured participants, Eric Isaac, got in touch to let us know he could help fill in the gaps. So instead...
89. Is palm oil really that bad?
Palm oil has a notoriously bad reputation; mention it, and you’ll likely hear strong criticism, particularly if you manage the social media of a podcast that very recently discussed Cadbury’s Easter egg packaging. But is the story really that s...
88. The truth behind ‘lost parcel’ reselling - scam or goldmine?
What happens to the parcels that never reach their buyers? A growing industry has an answer, reselling them as “mystery packages,” promising hidden treasures and unbeatable value. But do these surprise boxes live up to the hype, or are they too...
87. Is expensive petrol driving people to electric cars?
As tensions rise in Iran, global oil prices are climbing, with potential knock-on effects for everyday costs. From higher petrol and diesel prices to wider economic pressures, the impact is becoming more noticeable. But could this moment mark a...
86. Netflix's 'The Plastic Detox' - what it gets right (and what it misses)
On 16 March 2026, Netflix released 'The Plastic Detox', a documentary examining the health impacts of chemicals commonly found in plastics, particularly phthalates and BPA. In this episode, we unpack the science behind the film, reinforcing man...
85. Talking rubbish...with the man who collects it, the No. 1 Binman
With more than 160,000 followers on TikTok, Ashley might just be the most famous binman in the UK. In this episode, we sit down with the biggest binfluencer to talk about life on the rounds and how he built an online following by sharing the re...
84. The BrewDog forest - climate solution or greenwashing?
In 2020, BrewDog made headlines with a bold promise; to plant Scotland’s largest forest and become the world’s first carbon-negative beer company. Five years later, the land has been sold, the carbon-negative pledges have quietly vanished, and ...
83. Is climate collaboration illegal?
In October 2025, five US state attorneys general wrote to environmental organisations warning that their collaboration efforts could potentially breach antitrust laws. Their argument: consumers should retain the right to choose packaging even i...
