Rephonic
Artwork for Talking Rubbish

Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

James Piper, Robbie Staniforth
Recycling
Sustainability
Waste Management
Plastic Waste
Extended Producer Responsibility
Food Waste
Plastic Pollution
Plastic Recycling
Climate Change
Microplastics
Consumer Behavior
EPR (extended Producer Responsibility)
Environmental Impact
Black Friday
Carbon Emissions
Carbon Offsetting
Incineration
Disposable Vapes
Viridor
Textile Recycling

"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.

more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes113Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToDocumentaryEducationSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Talking Rubbish

Latest Episodes

Why might the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme be free for drinks brands for its first 15 months? We dig into the surprising finances behind DRS, from producer fees and the value of recycled material to the huge sums generated by unclaimed 20p deposits. Us... more

YouTube

Deposit return schemes can deliver impressive recycling rates. With that in mind, what can we learn from countries already using them? Following a trip to Ireland, James shares his experience of the country’s DRS, from the ease of spotting return poi... more

YouTube

How do you talk about environmental issues without preaching, oversimplifying or making people feel powerless? In this episode, we are joined by environmental journalist and broadcaster Lucy Siegle to explore what she’s learned from more than 20 year... more

YouTube

Recycling labels are about to change, but will they actually make recycling easier? In this episode, we look at the EU’s plans for harmonised packaging labels, including a proposed system of 24 different pictograms. Harmonisation sounds like a good i... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Sliced Bread
Sliced BreadBBC Radio 4
Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
Rosebud with Gyles BrandrethGyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media
Radical
RadicalBBC Radio 4
What's Up Docs?
What's Up Docs?BBC Radio 4

Recent Guests

Jude Pullen
Freelance inventor consultant focused on packaging and open hardware
Freelance inventor/consultant
Episode: 95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen
Eric Isaac
Guest, participant in The Plastic Detox and professor
The Plastic Detox project
Episode: 90. Inside Netflix's 'The Plastic Detox' - the story beyond the screen, with Eric Isaac
Steven Burns
Commercial Director at Reventus, focused on removing color from recycled plastics.
Reventus
Episode: 80. How to remove colour from plastic, with Steven Burns
Stephen Burns
Expert from Reventus focused on color in recycling
Reventus and Impact Solutions
Episode: 79. How colour drains the value from plastic recycling
Ellie Piper
Lawyer and partner of James Piper, co-hosting the discussion
Episode: 75. Sustainability around the world, with Ellie Piper
Stephanie Shires
Sustainability manager for various TV shows
Leverage Point
Episode: 70. Behind the scenes of sustainable TV production, with Stephanie Shires
Esther Carter
Chief Strategy Officer at PAC UK and expert on sustainability and waste management in the Global South
PAC UK
Episode: 65. Recycling realities in the Global South, with Esther Carter from Delterra
Gareth Morton
Manager of the FlexCollect project at Ecosurety
Ecosurety
Episode: 60. FlexCollect - closing the loop on flexible plastic, with Gareth Morton from Ecosurety
Sabra Chowdhury
Author of the book 'Consumed'
Episode: 54. Sachets - the true cost of convenience

Hosts

James Piper
Host of Talking Rubbish; author and industry expert in recycling with engaging, research-driven perspectives.
Robbie Staniforth
Co-host bringing practical knowledge on recycling; trusted voice with industry insight and approachable delivery.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 531 ratings
  • Recycling made genuinely interesting

    I absolutely love the rubbish podcast.

    James and Robbie manage to make recycling genuinely interesting while explaining what actually happens to our waste and challenging a lot of the assumptions we make about what can and cannot be recycled.

    I’ve been listening for a few months and I’m now working my way through the back catalogue. As a fairly obsessive recycling myself I thought I already knew quite a lot, but I’m learning something new with almost every episode.

    Informative, entertaining... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RagenN
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • #1 recycling podcast

    After receiving a rather nice book in the post (with a 30% recycled content plastic envelope) I felt obliged to write a review.

    I never tire of telling people that I listen to a geeky podcast and try and pass on James and Robbie’s advice to be the best recycler possible.

    However my enthusiasm in telling people about imminent soft plastic kerbside collection has backfired with the national delay, however it just gives me another opportunity to tell people about the podcast. Keep it up lads

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bullybolton
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Educational and entertaining

    Two amazing years of education, expertise and entertainment. Here’s to many, many more 😊

    I’m learning so much each week, and definitely recycling more confidently! Big change! No more household wipes! Material wipes are washable, reusable and far more effective!

    Love your passion, knowledge, delivery (and Robbie’s infectious laugh 🤣🤣). Thank you James and Robbie for my favourite hour and weekly podcast! 👏👏👏👏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Loup1763
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • I’ve found my rubbish people

    I feel like I’ve found my people! I share so many of the same frustrations as our lovely hosts, and it’s oddly satisfying hearing them rant about the exact things that drive me up the wall too.

    I’m a Geography teacher in Scotland, and I spend a lot of time encouraging young people to think critically about what they buy, how they consume, and what happens to things after they’re thrown away. The future of the planet can often feel like doom and gloom, but these kids genuinely give me hope. They... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    UglyBerty
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Funny, Honest & Educational

    I am both gutted to have only just discovered this podcast, and delighted that I can now binge the back catalogue. I’ve listened to about 10 episodes so far over the last 48 hours and it is so refreshing to listen to discussions about sustainability which look at the topics from all angles, and help to evaluate our ‘best options’. Thank you both for your commitment to this discussion, it is a brilliantly educational, impactful, lifestyle podcast… someone should give you an award (or three 😜)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheFullFreezer
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the hosts for being engaging, informative, and funny while delivering deep dives into waste and packaging topics.
Fans appreciate the mix of data, real-world examples, and clear guidance for improving recycling habits at home and in business.
Audiences note high-quality production, accessible explanations of complex topics, and strong guest selection and industry insight.
Listeners sometimes call out the humor; most feedback rewards the banter as a strength that keeps a heavy topic approachable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#2
United Kingdom/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#75
United Kingdom/Education
Apple Podcasts
#194
Canada/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#38
Australia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#126
Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#154
France/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen
Q: How do you balance the hype around AI with the practical realities of on-the-ground warehouse work when it comes to packaging decisions?
The discussion stresses a pragmatic view of AI as a set of rules and heuristics layered with selective AI, aimed at reducing cognitive load and improving data truth, while acknowledging the limits of current tech and the importance of human input on the factory floor.
95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen
Q: Jude, how did you approach designing Radio Globe and integrating it with hardware and software to explore packaging improvements?
Jude describes a collaborative, open-source process using a Raspberry Pi-based Radio Globe that brings together hardware tinkering, software heuristics, and input from engineers to prototype and test packaging ideas in real-world scenarios, emphasizing iterative learning and practical constraints.
80. How to remove colour from plastic, with Steven Burns
Q: What's your favorite color and why?
I would have to say blue, purely because the football team I support plays in blue.
80. How to remove colour from plastic, with Steven Burns
Q: What is your vision for the future?
We are currently doing an engineering design package to build a first of a kind plant, and we plan to operationalize it by 2028.
76. Why your council tax isn't paying for your recycling anymore
Q: Why can we recycle aerosols at home, but not gas canisters?
Aerosols contain small amounts of product and are at low pressure, making them less risky for recycling compared to gas canisters, which are high-pressure and can explode.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Rubbish

What is Talking Rubbish about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two witty, info-packed hosts guide listeners through the quirks of recycling and sustainability, balancing rigorous topic coverage with accessible banter. Episodes span packaging challenges, recycling infrastructure, policy levers (EPR, DRS, PRNs), and real-world consumer guidance, often weaving data-driven insights with practical tips and entertaining anecdotes. Noteworthy is the consistent focus on debunking myths, transparency about trade-offs in sustainability choices, and a hands-on, learner-friendly approach that appeals to professionals in waste and packaging as well as curious, eco-minded consumers seeking clearer guidance. A standout trait is the blend of industry expertise with approachable storytelling, making complex systems fee... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Talking Rubbish?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Talking Rubbish. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Talking Rubbish and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Talking Rubbish get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Talking Rubbish, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Talking Rubbish?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Talking Rubbish, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Talking Rubbish have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Talking Rubbish has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Talking Rubbish?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Rubbish:

1. Sliced Bread
2. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
3. Radical
4. Desert Island Discs
5. What's Up Docs?

How many episodes of Talking Rubbish are there?

Talking Rubbish launched 2 years ago and published 113 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talking Rubbish?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talking Rubbish?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Talking Rubbish from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Talking Rubbish?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Talking Rubbish. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Talking Rubbish?

Recent guests on Talking Rubbish include:

1. Jude Pullen
2. Eric Isaac
3. Steven Burns
4. Stephen Burns
5. Ellie Piper
6. Stephanie Shires
7. Esther Carter
8. Gareth Morton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days