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.
Recent Episodes
110
Sept. 3, 2026
110. Have we been talking about the environment all wrong? With Lucy Siegle
How do you talk about environmental issues without preaching, oversimplifying or making people feel powerless? In this episode, we are joined by environmental journalist and broadcaster Lucy Siegle to explore what she’s learned from more than 20 years communicating sustainability. We discuss whether focusing on systemic change was really a mistake, why recycling can be a gateway to much bigger environmental issues, whether our obsession with plastic has gone too far, and why none of us needs to
109
Aug. 27, 2026
109. Why recycling labels are about to get more confusing
Recycling labels are about to change, but will they actually make recycling easier? In this episode, we look at the EU’s plans for harmonised packaging labels, including a proposed system of 24 different pictograms. Harmonisation sounds like a good idea, but what happens when those labels appear on packaging in the UK without matching labels on our bins? And are we moving from a simple instruction telling us what to do with our packaging, to a system that simply tells us what it’s made from?
108
Aug. 20, 2026
108. Why are we sending so much plastic to Turkey?
The UK is sending huge amounts of plastic waste to Turkey, but what actually happens to it when it gets there? We dig into the numbers behind the headlines to find out what we're really exporting, why Turkey has become such a major destination, and how much actually comes from our household recycling. It turns out the story isn't simply about waste being dumped overseas. Turkey has a huge recycling industry, but new research from Adana raises a more complicated question; what happens when our pl
107
Aug. 13, 2026
107. Why our bins keep catching fire
Fires at waste and recycling sites are becoming increasingly common, with batteries, vapes and gas canisters ending up where they shouldn’t. In this episode, we look at why our bins now contain more energy than ever before, why awareness alone doesn’t seem to be solving the problem, and how these fires could make recycling increasingly expensive. Plus, we discuss a deposit return scheme we can actually get behind: a £5 deposit on vapes. Plus, are pregnancy tests rubbish or not, will BuzzBallz
106
Aug. 6, 2026
106. Why your fridge is making you waste food
Could your fridge actually be causing food waste? This week, we explore the psychology behind the modern fridge, why bigger shelves and hidden drawers can encourage us to buy more than we need, and how simply forgetting what's at the back may be responsible for more waste than food actually going off. We also discuss whether smart fridges are really the answer, or just another gadget promising to solve the wrong problem. Plus, are cable ties rubbish or not, should we just ban flexible plastic
105
July 30, 2026
105. The free food app rescuing millions of meals, with Tessa Clarke from Olio
Food waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges we rarely talk about, with the average UK household throwing away around £1,000 worth of perfectly good food every year. In this episode, we are joined by Tessa Clarke, co-founder of Olio, to explore how a simple idea has grown into a global community redistributing millions of meals. We discuss why so much food is wasted at home, what businesses and governments could do differently, and how technology is helping connect neighbours to sav
104
July 23, 2026
104. Why flexible plastic might never be recycled
In 2022, the Government committed to introducing kerbside collections for flexible plastics by 2027. Last week, that deadline was pushed back to 2030, a decision that has left James and Robbie, who have spent years preparing for the original timeline, deeply frustrated. In this episode, we unpack what the delay means for one of the UK's most challenging waste streams, why it matters for consumers and the recycling industry, and how postponing collections could create a vicious cycle that holds b
103
July 16, 2026
103. PFAS - what you need to know about forever chemicals
Forever chemicals have become a major focus in the media, with growing concern about PFAS turning up in our food, drinking water, and everyday products. But how much of the alarm is justified? How real are the risks, and is this something that should change the way we live, or is the picture more complicated than the headlines suggest?
102
July 9, 2026
102. Greenwashing exposed - what Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein got wrong
Last month Adidas, Uniqlo, and Calvin Klein all came under scrutiny for making misleading environmental claims. What did they actually say and what do these cases reveal about the future of sustainability marketing? This week, we take a deeper look at greenwashing, unpacking why environmental claims in the fashion industry are so difficult to get right. We explore what brands can learn and how sustainability messaging will need to change in the years ahead.
101
July 2, 2026
101. PPWR - why packaging will never be the same
From August 2026, the packaging industry enters a new era with the rollout of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation). In this episode, we break down what the new rules mean in practice, explore the biggest changes brands need to prepare for, and discuss how businesses are responding to one of the most significant shifts in packaging regulation in recent years. Plus, are Panini stickers rubbish or not, why did manufacturers remove lids from hummus and dips, how will eggs be packaged
Join the Email List
Listen On
Sponsor
Sponsors
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.