Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast podcast

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

"Toast this pair who are trying to make a difference one rubbish episode at a time" - The Independent If you think recycling is boring, think again. James and Robbie are here to prove that recycling is not only important but also downright fun! Ever wondered what happens to the lime in a recycled Corona bottle? Or, why a cucumber needs to be wrapped in plastic? The answers may surprise you. James does the research, while Robbie brings his unfiltered knowledge to the table, making for an unexpectedly entertaining deep dive into the weird and wonderful world of recycling. From busting myths to answering the wildest questions, you’ll laugh, learn, and maybe even rethink what you toss in the bin. “Eye-opening stuff and only rarely dry” - The Guardian "Who knew rubbish could be so interesting" - Radio Times "This podcast will make you smarter and greener" - The i "Full of handy, informative insights" - Heat

"Toast this pair who are trying to make a difference one rubbish episode at a time" - The Independent If you think recycling is boring, think again. James and Robbie are here to prove that recycling is not only important but also downright fun! Ever wondered what happens to the lime in a recycled Corona bottle? Or, why a cucumber needs to be wrapped in plastic? The answers may surprise you. James does the research, while Robbie brings his unfiltered knowledge to the table, making for an unexpectedly entertaining deep dive into the weird and wonderful world of recycling. From busting myths to answering the wildest questions, you’ll laugh, learn, and maybe even rethink what you toss in the bin. “Eye-opening stuff and only rarely dry” - The Guardian "Who knew rubbish could be so interesting" - Radio Times "This podcast will make you smarter and greener" - The i "Full of handy, informative insights" - Heat

 

#73

72. Why labels on bottles could ruin our recycling

In 2017, Lucozade bottles were branded a “recycling villain”, not because of the bottle it... more

11 Dec 2025

53 MINS

53:58

11 Dec 2025


#72

71. Dirty business - is waste crime on the rise?

A vast illegal waste dump in Oxfordshire, stretching 150 metres and sinking two storeys de... more

04 Dec 2025

59 MINS

59:39

04 Dec 2025


#71

70. Behind the scenes of sustainable TV production, with Stephanie Shires

With nearly 200,000 tonnes of direct carbon emissions linked to the UK TV and film industr... more

27 Nov 2025

52 MINS

52:49

27 Nov 2025


#70

69. Green Screen - the carbon footprint of TV

The world of television is a carbon minefield, packed with travel, fuel use, catering dema... more

20 Nov 2025

58 MINS

58:55

20 Nov 2025


#69

68. Sustainable toilet paper - getting to the bottom of it

In recent years, toilet rolls wrapped in paper instead of plastic have been hailed as the ... more

13 Nov 2025

57 MINS

57:10

13 Nov 2025


#68

67. Will there really be more plastic than fish in the ocean?

In 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation made a striking prediction: by 2050, there could b... more

06 Nov 2025

50 MINS

50:54

06 Nov 2025


#67

66. Who should win the Earthshot prize?

Launched in 2021, the Earthshot Prize has quickly become one of the most influential award... more

30 Oct 2025

55 MINS

55:13

30 Oct 2025


#66

65. Recycling realities in the Global South, with Esther Carter from Delterra

With over 17,000 islands, 34,000 miles of coastline, and limited formal waste management, ... more

23 Oct 2025

57 MINS

57:54

23 Oct 2025


#65

64. Why is recycling so hard in America?

Fresh from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition conference in Boston, we dive into America’... more

16 Oct 2025

57 MINS

57:10

16 Oct 2025


#64

63. Waste on a plane - how airlines manage recycling

Each year, airlines generate more than 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste, much of it disap... more

09 Oct 2025

58 MINS

58:20

09 Oct 2025


#63

62. Why toothpaste tubes can finally be recycled

In a seismic shift that really damages the credibility of 'The Rubbish Book', toothpaste t... more

02 Oct 2025

55 MINS

55:51

02 Oct 2025


#62

61. Labubu - the rise and risks of blind box packaging

The blind box market is booming, valued at more than $15 billion, with over 10 million Lab... more

25 Sep 2025

56 MINS

56:42

25 Sep 2025


#61

60. FlexCollect - closing the loop on flexible plastic, with Gareth Morton from Ecosurety

Over 160,000 households across 10 local authorities have been trialling flexible plastic c... more

18 Sep 2025

58 MINS

58:25

18 Sep 2025