Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

• 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 be more plastic in the ocean than fish. The claim spread like wildfire, appearing in headlines, reports, and speeches around the world. But is it true, or just a catchy soundbite? In this episode, we dive into how scientists estimate the weight of plastic and fish in the ocean, what those numbers really mean, and whether this alarming forecast holds water. Plus, are scratchcards rubbish or not, which aluminium foil should we buy, and is James regretting saying he would pay the fines for pouring away a coffee?Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk absolute rubbish from start to finish.We would love you to join our community on DiscordSpecial thanks to our sponsor, EcosuretyTo get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address [email protected] or by texting them via WhatsApp on 07356 069 232Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish websiteTimestamps:Will there really be more plastic than fish in the ocean? - 04:26Additions and corrections - 24:45Rubbish or Not: scratchcards - 33:52Rubbish News - 39:27Which aluminium foil, recyclable or recycled material? - 42:41Residual Rubbish - 46:02 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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• 66. Who should win the Earthshot prize?

  Launched in 2021, the Earthshot Prize has quickly become one of the most influential awards in global sustainability. Each year, it celebrates groundbreaking companies and visionary projects that embody the best of human ingenuity. In this episode, we explore who might take home the prize in 2025, why the money itself may matter less than you’d think, and whether spotlighting a single winner truly serves the bigger picture of lasting change. Plus, are water pistols rubbish or not, what is pre-consumer recycling, and have we found the longest (and best) review we will ever receive?Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk absolute rubbish from start to finish.Sign our very first pootition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/pooWe would love you to join our community on DiscordSpecial thanks to our sponsor, EcosuretyTo get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address [email protected] or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish websiteTimestamps:Who should win the Earthshot prize? - 02:22Additions and corrections - 25:48Rubbish or Not: water pistols - 34:36Rubbish News - 38:43What is pre-consumer recycling? - 42:34Residual Rubbish - 47:10 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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• 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, Indonesia faces an immense waste challenge, one that’s compounded by imports of foreign waste from countries like the UK. This week’s guest, Esther Carter (recently named #1 on the Resource Hot 100), shares insights from her time living and working in Indonesia, offering a first-hand perspective on how the crisis unfolds on the ground. In this wide-ranging conversation, we dig into the realities of waste management across the archipelago, the social and environmental impacts of global waste trade, and explore what meaningful solutions could look like for Indonesia’s future.Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk absolute rubbish from start to finish.Sign our very first pootition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/pooWe would love you to join our community on DiscordSpecial thanks to our sponsor, EcosuretyTo get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address [email protected] or by texting them via WhatsApp, our number is 07356 069 232Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website  Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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• 64. Why is recycling so hard in America?

  Fresh from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition conference in Boston, we dive into America’s focus on EPR, flexible plastics, and consumer engagement. Don’t miss our biggest takeaways from this influential event. Plus, are red Solo cups rubbish or not, does pouring a drink down a drain count as littering, and why is James annoyed at his son?Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk absolute rubbish from start to finish.Sign our very first pootition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/pooWe would love you to join our community on DiscordSpecial thanks to our sponsor, EcosuretyTo get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address [email protected] or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish websiteTimestamps:Why is recycling so hard in America? - 01:57Additions and corrections - 30:27Rubbish or Not: Red Solo Cups - 36:23Rubbish News - 41:40Is pouring a drink down a drain littering? - 47:22Residual Rubbish - 53:07 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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• 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 disappearing “out of sight, out of mind.” But behind those discarded coffee cups and meal trays lies a tangle of international regulations and border controls that make recycling very challenging. In this episode, we unpack the complex world of in-flight waste, explore why even recyclable materials are often treated as high-risk, and reveal the surprising barriers preventing airlines from improving. Plus, are balloons rubbish or not, how would we counter NGOs saying recycling is pointless, and are sundried tomatoes making us too niche?Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk absolute rubbish from start to finish.Sign our very first pootition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/pooWe would love you to join our community on DiscordSpecial thanks to our sponsor, EcosuretyTo get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcastOr you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address [email protected] or by texting them via WhatsAppRelevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.eeTranscripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish websiteTimestamps:How airlines manage recycling - 02:34Additions and corrections - 31:01Rubbish or Not: balloons - 38:12Rubbish News - 42:39How would we counter NGOs saying recycling is pointless? - 47:21Residual Rubbish - 52:42 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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