Episodes

Aluminium packaging is on the rise, moving beyond drinks cans and into products once dominated by plastic. But is it really the sustainable hero it’s made out to be? This episode unpacks the hidden costs and challenges behind the growth of aluminium, from its energy-intensive production to supply constraints, while also exploring its potential to transform the future of packaging. Join us as we weigh the pros and cons of a material that might just shape tomorrow’s shelves. Plus, are keys rubbish or not, should we use community collection points or kerbside bins for paper cartons, and why is James really happy with Smyths Toys?

This week’s guest, Saabira Chaudhuri, author of Consumed: How Big Brands Got Us Hooked on Plastic, takes us on a fascinating journey through the meteoric rise of plastic. From the quirks of history that propelled it past every rival material, to the boardroom decisions that sealed its fate, we uncover how plastic became the world’s go-to choice, and what we might do differently if we could start again.

In the UK, sachets might seem like a small, insignificant problem but across the world, they're anything but. In countries like India, sachets are the primary packaging for a wide range of everyday products. Globally, an estimated 855 billion are used every year. This week, we delve into the surprising history of the sachet, how it became a major contributor to global plastic waste, and whether there’s any case to be made in its defence. Plus, is Play-Doh rubbish or not, what should we do when we encounter bad recycling labelling, and why do Robbie's ice cubes taste of chicken soup?

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.

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 last piece of rubbish is dealt with. Out of sight doesn’t have to mean out of mind. Plus, are sandwich packs rubbish or not, can tape go in the soft plastic bin at supermarkets, and are we too boring for social media?

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 complexities of packaging. Plus, are cocktail sticks rubbish or not, do we actually need to put a bin liner in our bins, and why is James eating plastic?

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 honesty, urgency, and clarity. His call for truth-telling deeply aligns with our own mission of promoting transparent and impactful sustainability. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion, and let’s make the next 50 episodes even more powerful, together.

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 scrutiny is reshaping the market. Plus, are Ozempic pens rubbish or not, do we need to remove the security tag from plastic packaging and have we found the best review we will ever receive?

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-initiatives happening on the festival circuit and ask: how do they stack up against the giant that is Glastonbury? Plus, are disposable BBQs rubbish or not, should ocean bound plastic be used in a reusable bottle and why is Robbie worried about badgers?

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 much of a difference these changes could make across the UK. Plus, are pens rubbish or not, what actually happens to the waste we toss into skips and is the disposable vape ban actually going to solve the issue?

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 companies exploit eco-conscious consumers in the name of profit. With real-world examples and practical tips, we’ll help you spot the red flags and make more informed, authentic choices. Plus, are jigsaw puzzles rubbish or not, is recycled plastic worse for human health and why is James obsessed with an AI bin?

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 local rules and slow packaging timelines? Alice shares the challenges and surprising complexities behind recycling communication, and why getting it right matters more than ever.

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?

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 episode, we cut through the noise, unpack the science, and explore the big questions behind the story. Plus, how are mobile phones collected, is the wrapper around butter rubbish or not and why do free compostable bags have holes in?

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 films, not all plastics are created equal, and neither are the recycling efforts of countries around the world. Plus, how are ink cartridges recycled, are stickers rubbish or not and do laundry pods break down into microplastics?

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 of voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and how businesses are embracing recycled content. Plus, how are ink cartridges collected, are cotton buds rubbish or not, and we have been asked why paper ice cream tubs can be collected at home if coffee cups can't be?

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 deeper into the world of paperisation, exploring why paper bottles are gaining momentum, the challenges of sorting and recycling them, and what it will take to move from niche experiments to mainstream adoption.

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 impact of paper. Plus, we also dive into how textiles are recycled, whether tracing paper is rubbish or not, and just how much of your average milk bottle is made from recycled plastic.

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 charge, and which are falling behind? And more importantly, why? Plus, we explore the sorting of textiles, are Calpol syringes rubbish or not and can you recycle broken glass?

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. Plus, how are pet food pouches recycled, are dog toys rubbish or not and can you compost dog poo?

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 episode, we dive into the successes, setbacks, and lessons learned from the push for reusables, and explore whether a waste-free coffee culture is truly within reach. Plus, how are textiles collected, are magnets rubbish or not and how could EPR improve reuse?

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 retailers have been quietly working to collect our used cups for longer than we realise, and uncover the surprising reason Christmas brings a wave of pink cardboard.

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 tricky plastic coatings play. Listen to find out what you should be doing with your cup once you’ve finished that double espresso. Plus, how are lightbulbs recycled, are hot water bottles rubbish or not and how does mixing waste affect recycling rates?

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 uncover the shocking truth about ocean plastic and why cleaning it up is far more complicated than it seems. Plus, how are lightbulbs collected, are tomato purée tubes rubbish or not and how will Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) affect smaller companies?