Legislation Episodes

The Conservatives have pledged to scrap what they're calling Labour's packaging tax, despite having introduced the policy themselves. But would abolishing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) really save shoppers money, or simply shift the cost of dealing with packaging waste back to taxpayers? Is the system delivering value for money, does it need reform, or should it be scrapped altogether? Plus, are golf balls rubbish or not, is it worth storing bottles and cans now to claim the deposit ...

Norway gets around 98% of its bottles and cans back, so what makes its deposit return scheme work so well? This week, we unpack a system that is technically voluntary, yet has become one of the most successful in the world. We explore the tax that gives producers a huge incentive to hit their targets, the thousands of places consumers can return their drinks containers, what happens to all those bottles and cans once they’re collected, and whether convenience, money or Norwegian culture is reall...

What if you could get your 20p deposit back without ever leaving the house? This week, we explore digital deposit return and why the seemingly simple idea of scanning a bottle or can and putting it in your recycling bin gets complicated very quickly. We look at the challenges of making DRS digital, the trials already taking place around the world, and whether the UK could be building one of the last generations of manual deposit return systems. Plus, are swimming caps rubbish or not, what hap...

Why might the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme be free for drinks brands for its first 15 months? We dig into the surprising finances behind DRS, from producer fees and the value of recycled material to the huge sums generated by unclaimed 20p deposits. Using Ireland’s scheme and the UK Government’s own forecasts, we ask who will really pay for DRS, why lower return rates can actually make the system more money, and whether there’s an uncomfortable tension at the heart of how the scheme is funded. ...

Deposit return schemes can deliver impressive recycling rates. With that in mind, what can we learn from countries already using them? Following a trip to Ireland, James shares his experience of the country’s DRS, from the ease of spotting return points to the unexpected economy created by putting a value on bottles and cans. We look at what Ireland gets right, some of the unintended consequences, and what the UK could learn ahead of its own scheme launching in 2027. Plus, are arcade tickets ...

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? ...

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 in our dream supermarket, and why is Robbie searching for a fox?

Have you ever wondered how UK regulations are influencing plastic use? In our latest episode, we dive deep into the complexities of recycling legislation and its unexpected consequences. Join hosts James Piper and Robby Staniforth as they explore the implications of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and discuss the future of materials like glass and plastic in our circular economy. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that sheds light on the truth behind the headlines. Tune in now!

In October 2025, five US state attorneys general wrote to environmental organisations warning that their collaboration efforts could potentially breach antitrust laws. Their argument: consumers should retain the right to choose packaging even if it harms the environment. This week, we unpack what happened, explore the key differences between US and UK competition law when it comes to companies working together on green initiatives, and examine what organisations can do to protect themselves from similar legal challenges. Plus, are triggers rubbish or not, how would we listen to our own podcast, and why has Robbie been embarrassed by a comedy gig?

Simpler Recycling promises the biggest shake-up to the UK’s recycling system since kerbside collections began. But despite ambitions for nationwide consistency, exemptions mean some councils may take a different path. In this episode, we unpack the policy’s origins, examine why not everyone will have to follow the same rules, and look ahead to what the future of recycling might actually be. Plus, are contact lenses rubbish or not, is refillable packaging still considered packaging, why is James siding with Michael O'Leary?

New legislation is shifting the cost of recycling from taxpayers to the brands that create packaging in the first place. After decades of public funding, producers are now being asked to pay, but rolling out a brand-new system hasn’t been seamless. As the system settles, fees are being tied directly to how recyclable packaging is, a move that could reshape the packaging we see and buy every day. Plus, are glow sticks rubbish or not, why can we recycle aerosol cans at home but not gas canisters, and why was Robbie a bit too bold on council glass collections.

Hailed as a landmark effort to curb plastic pollution, the plastic treaty was supposed to unite nations around a binding plan to cut production, improve recycling, and reduce waste. But as talks dragged on, the deal collapsed under competing interests, petrochemical producers on one side, environmental advocates on the other. We break down what went wrong, why powerful industries fought to water down the agreement, and what the failure means for the future of global environmental policy. Plus, are Buzzballz rubbish or not, should we fold used crisp packets into triangles, and why is a restaurant cutting the top off James' aluminium can?

Ever received a tiny item in an enormous box? You're not alone, and believe it or not, that kind of wasteful packaging might actually be illegal. In this episode, Talking Rubbish unpacks (pun intended) a little-known piece of legislation that gives you the power to push back. We dig into the truth behind excessive packaging, reveal what the law really says, and show how everyday consumers can make a real environmental impact. It's time to turn your frustration into action. Plus, is cheese wax rubbish or not, why do fizzy bottle threads have gaps in them, and why is Robbie not a fan of his fan.

As part of sweeping new recycling legislation, the UK Government is rolling out the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), a traffic light system rating how recyclable packaging really is. But is it any government’s job to steer material choices, or should markets decide? Could this stifle innovation in emerging materials without established recycling infrastructure? And does a weight-based system unfairly favour plastic over heavier options like glass? We unpack the pros, cons, opportunities and indeed unintended consequences of RAM. Plus, how are mobile phones recycled, are staples rubbish or not and do aluminium cans really contain plastic?

With a wave of new recycling legislation on the horizon, weight-based costs are set to become the norm. Could this spell the end of glass packaging as companies pivot to lighter paper and plastic alternatives? In this episode, we break down four key pieces of legislation coming in the next few years and explore how they could reshape the packaging industry, and the products we buy every day. Plus, how are tyres collected, is the plastic widget in a can of Guinness rubbish or not and what is the purpose of the Green Dot?

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 it works and most importantly discussing whether it should exist. Plus, we dig into how garden waste is collected, is the netting around oranges rubbish or not, and what should we do with electricals with built-in batteries?

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 returning our drinks bottles and cans to stores? And why might this be a challenge for a country already equipped with kerbside recycling? Plus, we explore how electricals are recycled, are fireworks rubbish or not and why do some flexible plastics have a label that says not to recycle them?

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. Plus, we explain what you should do with waste wood, are books rubbish or not, and we have a question about why we need to sort metal if it can be extracted from the incinerator anyway.

Over the past couple of years, the UK government has banned certain plastics, from straws to balloon sticks. Find out the impact these bans can have and how they drive behaviour change. Plus, how are plastics sorted, can plastic toothbrushes be recycled, and why do some councils recommend lining food waste caddies with regular carrier bags?

Every time we put out our bin for recycling, there is a cost. Currently, local councils pick up this bill but soon it will shift to the brands who sell us products. How will this work and what will it mean for us? Plus, how are the metals recycled, which bin do receipts go into and James has a question from his mother-in-law.

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?

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?