Product Episodes
34. Cups, coatings, and confusion - why your coffee cup isn’t recycled
We get through a staggering 3.2 billion single-use paper coffee cups every year and most of us assume they’re easily recyclable. But the reality? It’s not that simple. In this episode, we unpack why coffee cups are so hard to recycle, why they need to be collected separately, and what role those tr…
32. Is Trump right to bring back plastic straws?
It was only a matter of time before a Trump policy made its way onto Talking Rubbish, his ‘BACK TO PLASTIC’ post on social media sealed the deal. This week, we’re diving into the much-vilified drinking straw. What’s the best material for it? Is there any logic in returning to plastic? And why are w…
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 the full story might prompt you to keep that trusty plastic spatula a bit lon…
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 cycle of a disposable vape and the environmental impact of improper disposal. P…
9. Why are cucumbers wrapped in plastic?
Easily the question James and Robbie get asked the most, 'why are cucumbers wrapped in plastic?'. A cucumber episode has been promised since episode one and it's finally time to answer the question! Plus, what types of plastic are out there, can pouches be recycled and which bin should shredded pap…
4. 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?
2. 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?
1. 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 to national messaging?