Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

Forever chemicals have become a major focus in the media, with growing concern about PFAS turning up in our food, drinking water, and everyday products. But how much of the alarm is justified? How real are the risks, and is this something that should change the way we live, or is the picture more complicated than the headlines suggest?
Plus, is a zip lock bag rubbish or not, will PPWR stifle innovation, how will baked beans be packaged in our dream supermarket, and are we really a fancy dress option?
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.
Please take a moment to complete the Simpler Recycling tracker
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, 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 talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com 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:
PFAS - what you need to know about forever chemicals - 02:41
Additions and corrections - 33:18
Rubbish or Not: zip lock bags - 38:37
Rubbish News - 42:36
Will PPWR stifle innovation? - 47:34
Green Grocer: baked beans - 51:17
Residual Rubbish - 54:29
 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

Last month Adidas, Uniqlo, and Calvin Klein all came under scrutiny for making misleading environmental claims. What did they actually say and what do these cases reveal about the future of sustainability marketing? This week, we take a deeper look at greenwashing, unpacking why environmental claims in the fashion industry are so difficult to get right. We explore what brands can learn and how sustainability messaging will need to change in the years ahead.
Plus, is a BBQ regulator rubbish or not, why is Sainsbury's moving to white eggs, how will toothpaste be packaged in our dream supermarket, and are we boring for wanting our lettuce to look like...lettuce?
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.
Please take a moment to complete the Simpler Recycling tracker
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, 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 talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com 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:
What Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein got wrong - 02:47
Additions and corrections - 31:57
Rubbish or Not: BBQ regulator - 36:15
Rubbish News - 41:10
Why are Sainsbury's switching to white eggs? - 45:10
Green Grocer: toothpaste - 48:07
Residual Rubbish - 52:45
 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

From August 2026, the packaging industry enters a new era with the rollout of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation). In this episode, we break down what the new rules mean in practice, explore the biggest changes brands need to prepare for, and discuss how businesses are responding to one of the most significant shifts in packaging regulation in recent years. Plus, are Panini stickers rubbish or not, why did manufacturers remove lids from hummus and dips, how will eggs be packaged in our dream supermarket, and why is Robbie searching for a fox?
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 like to have an evening Talking Rubbish to celebrate the official release of our 100th episode. We are holding it at Artists Residence in Bristol on the evening of the 3rd July (from 6pm), to let us know if you can make it, book your place on Eventbrite
Please take a moment to complete the Simpler Recycling tracker
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, 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 talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com 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:
PPWR - why packaging will never be the same again - 02:22
Additions and corrections - 27:27
Rubbish or Not: Panini stickers - 36:03
Rubbish News - 41:27
Why did manufacturers remove the lids from hummus and dips? - 46:10
Green Grocer: eggs - 50:48
Residual Rubbish - 54:09
 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

We’ve made it to Episode 100!
Reaching this milestone gave us a chance to pause and reflect on the journey so far. Joined by a live online audience for the recording, we look back on the first 100 episodes, introduce a new feature for the next chapter of the show, and celebrate the occasion with a few games and surprises.
Episode 100 also marks another exciting step forward: our move to video. If your podcast app supports video playback, you can now watch the conversation as well as listen.
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 like to have an evening Talking Rubbish to celebrate the official release of our 100th episode. We are holding it at Artists Residence in Bristol on the evening of 3rd July (from 6pm), to let us know if you can make it, book your place on Eventbrite
Please take a moment to complete the Simpler Recycling tracker
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, 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 talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com 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
 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

Cartons are a staple of everyday life, but they're far more complicated than they appear. Made from layers of paper, plastic and sometimes aluminium, they're designed to keep food fresh and lightweight to transport, but that same design makes them challenging to recycle. Following recent news that the UK's carton recycling capacity has taken a significant hit, we explore why cartons became so popular, why they're often seen as a sustainable packaging choice, and what really happens after you put one in the recycling bin. Plus, are energy gel wrappers rubbish or not, are heavily printed cans recyclable, and is Robbie listening to Talking Rubbish in the gym?
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 like to have an evening Talking Rubbish to celebrate the official release of our 100th episode. We are holding it at Artists Residence in Bristol on the evening of the 3rd July (from 6pm), to let us know if you can make it, book your place on Eventbrite
Please take a moment to complete the Simpler Recycling tracker
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, 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 talkingrubbishpodcast@gmail.com 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 cartons aren't being recycled in the UK - 05:31
Additions and corrections - 29:00
Rubbish or Not: energy gel wrappers - 38:53
Rubbish News - 44:30
Are heavily printed cans recyclable? - 49:01
Residual Rubbish - 53:02

 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL