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Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

By: James Piper Robbie Staniforth
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About this listen

"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" - HeatThe Rubbish Collective Ltd Biological Sciences Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 53. Why excessive packaging is illegal
    Jul 31 2025

    Ever received a tiny item in an enormous box? You're not alone, and believe it or not, that kind of wasteful packaging might actually be illegal. In this episode, Talking Rubbish unpacks (pun intended) a little-known piece of legislation that gives you the power to push back. We dig into the truth behind excessive packaging, reveal what the law really says, and show how everyday consumers can make a real environmental impact. It's time to turn your frustration into action. Plus, is cheese wax rubbish or not, why do fizzy bottle threads have gaps in them, and why is Robbie not a fan of his fan.

    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

    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 excessive packaging is illegal - 2:11
    Additions and corrections - 26:53
    Rubbish or Not: cheese wax - 34:14
    Rubbish News - 42:10
    Why do fizzy bottle threads have gaps in them? - 48:17
    Residual Rubbish - 52:20

    Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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    1 hr
  • 52. How landfills actually work
    Jul 24 2025

    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 sandwich packs rubbish or not, can tape go in the soft plastic bin at supermarkets, and are we too boring for social media?

    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 vote for James and Robbie in the Resource Hot 100, please use the links below:

    James and Robbie

    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

    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:
    How landfills actually work? - 4:29
    Additions and corrections - 31:13
    Rubbish or Not: sandwich packs - 38:59
    Rubbish News - 42:43
    Can tape go in the soft plastic bin? - 49:09
    Residual Rubbish - 52:18

    Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • 51. Why does your glass bottle contain microplastics?
    Jul 17 2025

    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 our bins, and why is James eating plastic?

    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 vote for James and Robbie in the Resource Hot 100, please use the links below:

    James and Robbie

    Sign our very first petition: 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

    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 does your glass bottle contain microplastics? - 2:31
    Additions and corrections - 28:47
    Rubbish or Not: cocktail sticks - 36:15
    Rubbish News - 40:29
    Do we need to put a bin liner in our general bins? - 47:55
    Residual Rubbish - 52:57

    Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
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