Episodes

Often ignored and rarely understood, landfills are one of the most fascinating components of our waste system. In this episode, we dig deep (literally and metaphorically) into how landfills actually work, how they get closed when they are full, and why they need looking after for decades after the …

New research suggests that glass bottles may contain more microplastics than plastic bottles or aluminium cans, but how is that even possible? We dive into where these plastics are coming from, why the media is not highlighting this surprising fact, and what it tells us about the hidden complexitie…

We’re thrilled to mark our 50th episode with a very special guest: renowned climate expert and communicator, Mike Berners-Lee. In this milestone conversation, we dive into his latest book, A Climate of Truth, which challenges governments, the media, and all of us to confront climate issues with hon…

Carbon offsetting has sparked both enthusiasm and scepticism in recent years. Is it a vital source of funding for crucial climate projects, or just a clever form of greenwashing? In this episode, we unpack what it takes to create a carbon offset, why the process is so complex, and how growing scrut…

It’s Glastonbury! As festival season kicks off, so does a tidal wave of waste, but also a chance for change. Festivals create a unique, closed environment ideal for using compostable plastics, reusable packaging, and cutting-edge sustainability tech. This week, we dive into the most exciting eco-in…

Flats and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) have long posed a challenge for the recycling industry, with high contamination rates and varied attitudes toward waste separation. In this episode, we explore what recent trials have revealed about improving recycling in these tricky settings and how …

Greenwashing. It's a term we’re hearing far too often, especially about brands that should know better. In this episode, we unpack how slick marketing turns cost-cutting and empty promises into the illusion of sustainability. From misleading campaigns to carefully buried truths, we reveal how compa…

This week on the podcast, James and Robbie sit down with Alice Harlock from OPRL, the organisation behind those “recycle” or “do not recycle” labels on packaging. We increasingly rely on these labels to guide our recycling habits, but how do they stay accurate in a world of constantly changing loca…

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 inn…

Last month, headlines sounded the alarm: 'Plastic causes heart disease!' Scary? Definitely. But as usual, the reality is far more complex than the clickbait. What kind of plastic are we talking about? How exactly are we exposed to it? And if it’s so harmful, why are we still making it? In this epis…

The widely cited statistic that just 9% of plastic is recycled has become a common talking point, but how accurate is it? In this episode, we unpack the truth behind the number and explore the complex world of plastic recycling. From the recycling-friendly plastic bottle to the problematic flexible…

Robbie is back from a Global Expert Mission to South Africa, where he explored the challenges and innovations shaping plastic recycling and sustainability. In this episode, he shares eye-opening insights from his trip, from the realities of landfills and the role of waste reclaimers to the impact o…

Our first ever live episode, recorded at the NEC in Birmingham during Packaging Innovations! In this special episode, James and Robbie are joined by Will Connolly from Diageo, the creative force behind the paper-based packaging for iconic brands like Johnnie Walker and Baileys. Together, we dive de…

The shift from plastic to paper is gaining momentum as brands look for more sustainable packaging, but is paper really the better option? This episode digs beneath the surface of the paper trend, uncovering hidden environmental concerns like increasing monoculture forests, water use and the carbon…

The recycling league tables are in! Recycling rates are on the rise, but there is a twist; the actual amount of packaging being recycled is going down. Confused? So were we. In this episode, we unpack this surprising contradiction and dive into the data. Which regions in England are leading the cha…

Happy National Pet Day! In this special episode, we're celebrating our beloved furry companions while exploring how to care for them in a more eco-friendly way. From sustainable pet diets to the best plastics for waste disposal, we’ll share simple tips to reduce your pet’s pawprint on the planet. P…

Despite years of effort, reusable cup initiatives have struggled to break through, often dismissed as 'interesting but not scalable'. Some coffee shops have even banned single-use cups, only to watch their sales drop. So, what’s really holding reuse back? And can we ever make it the norm? In this e…

This week on the podcast, James and Robbie dive deeper into the world of coffee cups with special guest Rob Tilsley from James Cropper, a UK pioneer in coffee cup recycling. Together, they unpack the hidden economics behind plastic-lined cups versus innovative new coatings, reveal how brands and re…

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…

Ocean plastic pollution is a massive problem, but it’s even worse than we think. Many imagine vast islands of floating rubbish, easy to scoop up and remove. The reality? Most of it is nearly invisible, scattered from the surface to the deepest trenches. On today’s episode of Talking Rubbish, we unc…

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…

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 year…

This week, James and Robbie welcome Stuart Goldsmith, a climate comedian. Stuart has performed comedy on TV around the world, including on Live At The Apollo (BBC), Conan (TBS), and Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central (UK).​ He now uses his material on climate to support sustainability teams of large…

Bristol is considering a shift to a 4-weekly general bin collection. What’s behind this decision, and how could it help boost recycling rates? In this episode, we dive into the strategies councils are using to optimise waste collections, examining those getting it right and others that still have r…