Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

A year ago, Birmingham’s bin workers walked out, and the city began to fill with rubbish. What started as a dispute over changes to job progression escalated into industrial action that left up to 17,000 tonnes of waste piling up on the streets. One year on, we revisit the strike to ask what’s changed, what hasn’t, and who has paid the price. How has the dispute shaped public trust, city services, and the future of waste collection? And with major recycling legislation on the horizon, is it time for the standoff to finally end, or is the dispute far from over? Plus, are lighters rubbish or not, why is compostable packaging not compostable in California, and why was James interviewed for the wrong segment on BBC Radio 4?
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 Discord
Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety
To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast
Or 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 069 232
Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee
Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website
Timestamps:
Birmingham bin strike - 02:54
Additions and corrections - 34:49
Rubbish or Not: lighter - 43:03
Rubbish News - 46:23
Why is compostable plastic not compostable in California? - 50:52
Residual Rubbish - 54:04

Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

“It’s all burned. It’s all shipped to Turkey. Recycling is a myth.”
We hear these claims all the time, that our carefully sorted waste ends up in landfill or incinerators, and that recycling is basically pointless. But how much of that is actually true? This week, we dig into the reality behind the headlines. Where does our recycling really go? Does cleaning and sorting your waste make any difference at all? And is there still a reason to bother? We debate the myths, unpack the facts, and, spoiler alert, aim to leave you feeling hopeful that looking after your rubbish is still worth the effort. Plus, are tea light candle holders rubbish or not, is a dead battery still a fire risk, and why is a $4,000 deposit return scheme not working for the litter on Mount Everest?
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 Discord
Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety
To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast
Or 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 069 232
Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee
Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website
Timestamps:
Is recycling a scam? - 02:08
Additions and corrections - 31:53
Rubbish or Not: tea light candle holders - 41:02
Rubbish News - 43:00
Is a dead battery still dangerous? - 49:16
Residual Rubbish - 52:11

Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

New legislation is shifting the cost of recycling from taxpayers to the brands that create packaging in the first place. After decades of public funding, producers are now being asked to pay, but rolling out a brand-new system hasn’t been seamless. As the system settles, fees are being tied directly to how recyclable packaging is, a move that could reshape the packaging we see and buy every day. Plus, are glow sticks rubbish or not, why can we recycle aerosol cans at home but not gas canisters, and why was Robbie a bit too bold on council glass collections. 
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 Discord
Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety
To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast
Or 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 069 232
Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee
Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website
Timestamps:
Why your council tax isn't paying for your recycling anymore - 02:49
Additions and corrections - 34:35
Rubbish or Not: glow sticks - 43:01
Rubbish News - 48:04
Why can we recycle aerosol cans but not gas canisters? - 51:48
Residual Rubbish - 53:32

Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

In 2021, Ellie and James left their jobs and spent 15 months travelling around the world. Along the way, they paid close attention to how sustainability showed up in practice; what worked, what didn’t, and what felt worth questioning. In this New Year’s episode, Ellie joins Robbie and James to reflect on the trip. They revisit it continent by continent, each sharing one idea or observation that stuck with them. The conversation covers travel, perspective, and what they took away from the experience.
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/poo
We would love you to join our community on Discord
Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety
To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast
Or 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 069 232
Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee
Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website

Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

In 2021, LEGO announced an ambitious plan to make its iconic bricks from recycled plastic bottles. Just two years later, the project was quietly scrapped. Why did it fail and why might that decision actually be a good thing? In this festive episode, we take a closer look at the UK’s number one toy brand and the sustainability initiatives behind its efforts to make a plastic toy more circular. Plus, are advent calendars rubbish or not, what should we do with compostable plastic, and why has Robbie been litter-picking Santa hats?
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 Discord
Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety
To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast
Or 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 069 232
Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee
Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website
Timestamps:
Should LEGO use recycled plastic? - 02:28
Additions and corrections - 28:29
Rubbish or Not: advent calendars - 37:27
Rubbish News - 41:25
What should you do with compostable plastic? - 45:15
Residual Rubbish - 50:40

Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL