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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

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…
Dec. 12, 2024

20. Interview - Pierre Paslier, 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…
Dec. 5, 2024

19. Breaking down compostable plastic

Compostable plastic has grown significantly in the past few years as producers of packaging attempt to move away from conventional plastics. Why is this material so hard to collect and recycle? Plus, we explore how electrica…
Nov. 28, 2024

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 …
Nov. 21, 2024

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 cycl…
Nov. 14, 2024

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 …

Recent Blog Posts

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 …

Talking Rubbish Joins Discord: Uniting Our Recycling Community in One Place!

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…

Our New Directory Feature is Live!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new feature on our website: the Directory! This page is your go-to hub for exploring everything we’ve covered so far. You’ll find a comprehensive list of all our episodes, complete w…

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.