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 management, 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 professionals who love to talk absolute rubbish!

Recent Episodes

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Sept. 12, 2024

How green is a Taylor Swift concert?

James has just got back from the Taylor Swift concert in London, how sustainable was the event? Plus, how are the metals sorted, can kitchen paper be recycled and are we going to see other changes in packaging because of EU…

Sept. 5, 2024

How can we make refillable packaging work?

Most of us want refillable packaging to work, but it seems to have continual bumps in the road, with trials getting cancelled and consumers struggling to engage. What have we learned from the trials that have taken place and…

Aug. 29, 2024

Interview - Natalie Fée, City to Sea

James is joined this week by Natalie Fée, founder of environmental charity City to Sea. James and Natalie have a wide ranging discussion, exploring; how Natalie managed to get all the retailers to switch their cotton buds to…

Aug. 22, 2024

The surprising truth behind the carrier bag charge

Why has the carrier bag charge not actually led to a reduction in plastic? Plus, how is glass sorted, can birthday cards be recycled and are the infamous cardboard Olympic beds better than more long term materials?

Aug. 15, 2024

Do the Olympics fuel packaging use?

Do we all use more packaging when major sporting events are on? Plus, how are cardboard and paper recycled, can cork be recycled and should you use a plastic bottle to store flexible plastic before recycling?

Aug. 8, 2024

Why coffee pods aren't that bad

Discover why coffee pods may not be that bad for the environment after all and how they can get recycled. Plus, how are cardboard and paper sorted, can aerosol cans be recycled and do you need to take tape off wrapping paper?

Aug. 1, 2024

Why are bottle caps suddenly attached?

Discover why bottle caps are suddenly tethered to drinks bottles and how this can help with their recycling. Plus, how is waste actually collected, can pizza boxes be recycled and why does council guidance not always align t…

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About the Hosts

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

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.