Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

Food waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges we rarely talk about, with the average UK household throwing away around £1,000 worth of perfectly good food every year. In this episode, we are joined by Tessa Clarke, co-founder of Olio, to explore how a simple idea has grown into a global community redistributing millions of meals. We discuss why so much food is wasted at home, what businesses and governments could do differently, and how technology is helping connect neighbours to save food, money and emissions.
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
 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

In 2022, the Government committed to introducing kerbside collections for flexible plastics by 2027. Last week, that deadline was pushed back to 2030, a decision that has left James and Robbie, who have spent years preparing for the original timeline, deeply frustrated. In this episode, we unpack what the delay means for one of the UK's most challenging waste streams, why it matters for consumers and the recycling industry, and how postponing collections could create a vicious cycle that holds back recycling rather than accelerating it.
Plus, is a paper coffee cup rubbish or not, is a nitrous oxide canister packaging, how will instant coffee be packaged in our dream supermarket, and why does James never redeem his free coffee in Starbucks?
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:
Why we may never recycle flexible plastic - 01:50
Additions and corrections - 32:33
Rubbish or Not: paper coffee cups - 38:37
Rubbish News - 43:58
Are nitrous oxide canisters packaging? - 48:14
Green Grocer: instant coffee - 51:13
Residual Rubbish - 54:56
 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

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