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Talking Rubbish

Talking Rubbish

A weekly podcast that unpacks the complexities of recycling, whilst having a lot of fun.

Each episode dives deep into the world of waste, exploring innovations and solutions to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle better. Whether you're an eco-conscious individual or just curious about how recycling works, we break down everything from the basics of sorting your rubbish to the latest advancements in the world of waste.

Hosted by James Piper, author of The Rubbish Book and Robbie Staniforth, Policy Director at a leading environmental consultancy. Both James and Robbie are award winning sustainability experts who love to talk absolute rubbish!

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Recent Episodes

Feb. 20, 2025

30. A good car crash with Stuart Goldsmith, Climate Comedian

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 (BBC), Conan (TBS), and Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central (UK).​ H…
Feb. 13, 2025

29. Rubbish decision? The shift to monthly bin collections

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…
Feb. 6, 2025

28. Disappearing plastic? The controversy of oxo-degradable

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 i…
Jan. 30, 2025

27. Why do we export so much plastic for recycling?

We all know tonnes of plastic are exported, but how much actually leaves our shores, and where does it end up? Talking Rubbish dives into the murky world of plastic exports, uncovering why China shut its doors, the ripple ef…
Jan. 23, 2025

26. Toxic tableware? The truth about black plastic utensils

In October 2024, headlines exploded with 3 million articles urging us to ditch our black plastic utensils. But should you really? In this episode, we uncover the surprising science behind the sensationalism, revealing why th…
Jan. 16, 2025

25. Interview - Alice Rackley, 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…
Jan. 9, 2025

24. Are invisible barcodes the holy grail of plastic recycling?

Did you know the packaging you buy today might be covered in invisible barcodes? These barcodes help recyclers to work out what type of plastic a yoghurt pot might be made of, or whether an empty bottle was full of drink or …
Jan. 2, 2025

23. Recycling rewards - exploring Deposit Return Schemes

Deposit Return Schemes are officially on the horizon! With the Government having recently passed legislation, there’s no better time to dive into the details. How exactly do these schemes work? Will we all really be returnin…
Dec. 26, 2024

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 b…
Dec. 19, 2024

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 u…

Recent Blog Posts

Jan. 22, 2025

Talking Rubbish is going live!

We have been asked by Packaging Innovations to bring Talking Rubbish to the NEC in Birmingham and we were more than happy to say yes. It’s free to come along and watch us attempt an unedited episode for the first …

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Jan. 17, 2025

Talking Rubbish Podcast Named Among Radio Times' Top Audio Picks!

The 18th-24th January 2025 edition of Radio Times has spotlighted Talking Rubbish in its prestigious “Pick of the Best Audio on Demand” feature—a remarkable milestone for the growing podcast. I couldn't believe it when I received …

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Jan. 14, 2025

Talking Rubbish Joins Discord: Uniting Our Recycling Community in One…

We’re thrilled to announce that Talking Rubbish has joined Discord! This exciting step is all about bringing our incredible recycling community together in one central hub. Join the conversation now: Click here to join our Discord server Sin…

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About the Hosts

James Piper Profile Photo

James Piper

Author / CEO / Non-Executive Director

James is a passionate advocate for consumer education, James is committed to helping the public recycle more effectively. In February 2022, he published The Rubbish Book, a comprehensive guide to recycling designed to empower individuals with practical knowledge. Building on the book's success, James launched Talking Rubbish in August 2024—a weekly podcast that explores the latest trends and insights in recycling, keeping audiences informed and engaged as we strive for a greener planet.

Robbie Staniforth Profile Photo

Robbie Staniforth

Non-Executive Government Advisor / Policy Director

Robbie is an avid environmentalist who works with the world's leading brands and retailers to make their packaging more planet friendly.

In 2021, he was appointed to the UK Government's Advisory Committee on Packaging where he helps to design and implement new policies that create a less wasteful society and more circular economy.