Reviews

See above.

Longtime listener to podcasts, medium-time listener to The Rubbish Podcast, first-time reviewer. When I tell my friends that I listen to a podcast about recycling they roll their eyes in worry that I am becoming a grotesque parody of myself, and few of them take my entreaties that it’s a great listen seriously. Those that do take me seriously, out of parental obligation, have caught the bug hook line and sinker. Inexplicably relaxing and endlessly informative, Robbie and James (listed in order of propensity to laugh like an elephant seal) are engaging, knowledgeable hosts, whose wisdom is great for passing off as your own, and lovely company. I listen as a silent third wheel of a conversation between friends that just happens to refer to Extended Producer Responsibility and DRS, as though I too know what a Murf(?) looks like, and all is right with the world. Everywhere you have people you have waste. Rubbish is therefore the most universal of subjects, the teeming systems that keep our pavements free of spilling binbags or, even more pertinently, not. My thanks to all the binmen and binwomen (binpeople?), the recycler pros, the washer-outers of jars and cans, the landfill enthusiasts, packaging nerds, and assorted recyclo-geeks, and to the podcast and podcasters that lifts the binlid on them. I salute thee. Considered me binfluenced. (I’m cancelling my WGAC subscription)

A consistently excellent podcast about rubbish, recycling and sustainability, with a great balance of industry insight and practical advice for the “average” person wishing make informed choices and do their bit from home.

I used to listen to music whilst litter-picking, but not anymore. You are both so funny yet informative - I find myself laughing out loud in the middle of the woods and as passers-by give me odd looks, they do not know what pure entertainment I am listening too! The different discussions and topics really vary week by week, and keep me up to date on enviro news all whilst chuckling over bad humoured fish jokes or recycling bin days. Thank you!

I started listening to this podcast after following clips on social media, but the full episodes are on another level (James you will know who this is ) The mix of recycling facts, witty humour, and natural conversation makes it incredibly engaging. I’ve binged six episodes (even backwards!) and now I look forward to each new one. It’s made my gym workouts fly by and genuinely brightens my day. A must-listen for anyone who wants to learn and laugh at the same time!

You’ve made me angry on my dog walks. I can’t help but judge people now on their dog poo bags now! Great pod cast, so informative. Sharing all the tip bits you share. Look forward to bin day each week (my actually bin day is Friday though).

Recycle and reuse. a a very rubbbish podcast that makes my Thursday night a rubbish experience.keep up the rubbish act!,p.s: this podcast needs to be 5 star not 4.9!!!!!!!!!!

Few shows make me laugh and rethink recycling the way this one does. James and Robbie keep it light funny and genuinely insightful every week. I work in the recycling tech and still learn from every episode, but you don’t need to be in the industry to enjoy it it’s a great lesson for anyone curious about what really happens after the bin.

Binforming, enjoyable - who knew there was so much rubbish to talk about - or that more you learn the more curious you become

Love how down to earth this pod is, answering all the questions we ask ourselves every day. In the last week alone, I have changed my toothpaste subscriptions (apparently the main brands tubes are now recyclable), cancelled my toilet paper subscription (from China) and learnt about balloon clips to make balloons reusable!

James & Robbie – thank you for this gem of a podcast. I found you via a bit of a weird route... my better half recommended the podcast to my ten-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter, who started listening to it. I overheard bits at bedtime and was worried we were going to create some very weird kids — why would 9- and 10-year-olds be listening to deep dives into waste management and rubbish legislation? Surely this was a route to them being bullied at school? Then they started discussing it with one another — saying “Heellllooo,” talking about James and Robbie like they were friends from school, and quoting Alan Partridge to me! During the summer holidays, we stayed in a tipi together, and the kids insisted on putting the podcast on as they went to bed. I was forced to listen — and found myself strangely drawn in. I’ve since realised my perceptions were daft prejudice, and I’ve now started daytime listening as well! Who knew waste legislation and regulation could be so interesting? The community around James and Robbie is amazing, and it still feels small enough that every interaction is acknowledged by the hosts. My kids listen to each episode repeatedly and now know so much about recycling and broader topics — material composition, manufacturing processes — and they have a real and genuine appreciation for the circular economy, which otherwise they’d only have the most basic knowledge of. They’ve (b)influenced me to listen and held me to account for our purchasing choices and waste management practices. I now consciously make informed choices, read OPRLs every time, and check our council website. I even look at packaging before making a purchase to see what recycled content it contains. Our bedtime story at the moment is The Rubbish Book, and we love talking about what things are made of, where they come from, why certain material choices have been made, and what alternatives exist. My son is now super knowledgeable about aluminium production and its processes, and he’s developed an early appreciation for chemistry. My daughter even included notes about recycling and waste management in her application to be a science ambassador at school (she also bribed her way in with a home-baked cake she made!). I volunteer with a Cub Scout group, and we recently ran a week on recycling and waste management (at my daughter’s request, I started the evening with a long “heeeeellow” and introduced the other leaders as “far from rubbish friends!”). All the content we covered came from The Rubbish Book and the podcast. I now see the kids thinking about where they put what, and some have even held their parents to account for following what’s on the OPRL! We recently took a trip to the newly refurbished National Media Museum in Bradford and all sat down to enjoy a documentary they’d produced on the recycling of televisions in West Yorkshire — a likely field trip for the hosts! I see a genuine change in myself and my kids thanks to this podcast — keep up the great work. I hope the community and binfluencing continue to grow. I hope kids and parents engage with the content and go on a learning journey with you. Episodes are professionally produced, and James and Robbie hold themselves to account to improve the content and knowledge they’re spreading. Each week, I find myself looking forward to bin day more and more. As a listener and community member, I feel like we’re part of the development of the episodes and the trajectory of the show. James and Robbie both come across as massively positive role models for kids and parents, and they can teach all of us a bit about being more responsible and making better choices for our world. Their pledge to pick apart one-sided stories is upheld, and they thoughtfully and critically consider topics in depth. That’s handy for me — I just do what they say now! There's a genuine warmth to the production and content which reflects the passionate nature and mission driven purpose of this podcast - this is about spreading the word and Robbie and James values shine through and inspire me and other members of the binfluencing community. I’ve got to go — my flexible plastic recycling bag is full. P.S. Robbie, I’m the kind of person who would also take a water pistol through airport security.

If the listeners are called binfluinsers what are you 2 called (I know your real names are James and Robbie sry if I spelt wrong)

After becoming frustrated at listening in chunks at bedtime and having to revisit where I left off, this is now my one and only 'daytime podcast'. So interesting and useful for anyone holding a piece of rubbish(or not) in their hands , hovering over the bins, wondering where it goes. I don't want to miss a minute of Robbie and James, and thoroughly recommend- as a daytime podcast.😀

Listening when out on my litter picking rounds where I live really helps. Some of the feedback from this has been very useful and I have changed my sorting approach. Keep up the good work.

Ok , 53 episodes down and still delivering in heaps. Not a disposable fact in sight but quite a lot of jokes being recycled which only adds to the entertainment value. I love this podcast if only to hear stuff that has been trotted out as fact, being debunked using evidence and not here-say .. keep it up James and Robbie

See above

I’ve been a lifelong recycler, but that hasn’t been without its fair share of naysayers and doom theorists. James and Robbie are demystifying the other side of the recycling bins we use, explaining how and why our efforts are making a difference. Sad I’ll never be able to match Ethel’s review. Might mark a star down for that… (won’t really)

Thursday is my new favourite day of the week now because of Talking Rubbish (a great podcast btw)

Such an accessible episode with inexpensive, easy to implement, tried and tested ideas to combat the issues we face in our block - contamination and dumping. Have forwarded to residents and manager. I’ve repeatedly asked for signage so I love the 4 clear communication points in the evidence based report.

There are some things that I'll happily recommend to everyone I meet, safe in the knowledge that all sane people will love it. This is not one of those things. Unashamedly nerdy, dives into the detail of a supremely unglamorous everyday industry. James makes terrible dad jokes and Robbie has a laugh that will make some people want to rip their ears off. But I love it, and I've even grown an affection for Robbie's laugh. If anything, I wish it was a bit more nerdy and had more scientific rigour, but for now it brightens up my week when it drops on my podcast feed. If you have an interest in what happens to your rubbish once you've put the bins out and a gap in your life for the scintillatingly dull, then give this a go. You might love it too.

This pod cast has to be compulsory listening for anyone in the packaging and packaging waste industry. James and Robbie steer us through the frustrating and complex issues with humour and above all , facts. Keep it up guys

They manage to keep the subject matter interesting even though it’s about rubbish! A firm fave of mine. And Bristol based too!

This is a firm favourite podcast now. I work in the industry and every episode provides talking points for the working week!

I love this podcast thank you!