Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast
James Piper, Robbie Staniforth2 x British Podcast Award winner 2026: Gold in Education and Bronze in Impact.
"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,... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 119 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | How ToDocumentaryEducationSociety & Culture | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
Every year, we throw away around 1.4 million tonnes of textiles in the UK, but only a fraction find their way back into our wardrobes. With fast fashion driving down the quality of donations and resale apps taking the best items, charity shops are in... more
The Conservatives have pledged to scrap what they're calling Labour's packaging tax, despite having introduced the policy themselves. But would abolishing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) really save shoppers money, or simply shift the cost of ... more
What happens when packaging promotions go horribly wrong? This week, James and Robbie explore some of the most spectacular marketing disasters in history. From Coca-Cola’s spring-loaded MagiCans and BrewDog’s not-so-solid gold cans to the Pepsi fight... more
After four episodes digging into deposit return schemes, we sit down with Julian Hunt from Exchange for Change to put some of our biggest questions directly to the organisation delivering the UK’s DRS. We discuss why drinks containers were chosen, wh... more
Key Facts
Similar Podcasts
People also subscribe to these shows.
Recent Guests
Hosts
Reviews
- Brill!
Great podcast, really informative & fun. Plus I like all the Bristol info!
Apple Podcasts5Haaaaas
United Kingdom25 days ago - What a treat
Wonderful podcast. I learn new things every week and have gotten a much better understanding of what happens to our waste! I have taken to picking up discarded vapes from the street to find the right bin for them (to the horror of my friends). Really enjoy the discussions about recycling policy and thinking more about the nuances and trade offs involved with how to design waste systems that work for people and the environment.
Apple Podcasts5reubenfamUnited Kingdoma month ago - Less rubbish, more reason
As a paper packaging engineer, I find the Talking Rubbish podcast fantastic.
It’s not just for those working in the industry but for anyone interested in sustainability and the challenges we face.
As with many sustainability topics, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burnt out trying to understand and address the issues. At times, it can feel like meaningful change is impossible.
However, James and Robbie strike a fantastic balance. Their approach is both informative and reassuring. Making co... more
Apple Podcasts5Chr13SUnited Kingdoma month ago - 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 Podcasts5RagenNUnited Kingdom2 months 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 Podcasts5bullyboltonUnited Kingdom2 months ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #1 | United Kingdom/Education/How To |
Apple Podcasts | #37 | United Kingdom/Education |
Apple Podcasts | #208 |  Canada/Education/How To |
Apple Podcasts | #81 |  France/Education/How To |
Apple Podcasts | #86 |  Italy/Education/How To |
Apple Podcasts | #88 |  Australia/Education/How To |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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. Life Without
3. What's Up Docs?
4. More or Less
5. Outsiding
How many episodes of Talking Rubbish are there?
Talking Rubbish launched 2 years ago and published 119 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. Julian Hunt
2. Lucy Siegle
3. Jude Pullen
4. Eric Isaac
5. Steven Burns
6. Stephen Burns
7. Ellie Piper
8. Stephanie Shires
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.