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Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

James Piper, Robbie Staniforth
Recycling
Sustainability
Waste Management
Plastic Waste
Food Waste
Plastic Pollution
Extended Producer Responsibility
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. James ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes93Founded2 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Since February, the war in Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil flows and sending shockwaves through industries worldwide. But amid the turmoil, an unexpected consequence has emerged, recycled plastic is becoming... more

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In recent years, the Government has been rolling out four major policies set to reshape the waste industry. But could these well-intentioned reforms have an unintended side effect, driving a shift towards more plastic? In this episode, we explore how... more

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Last month, Netflix released The Plastic Detox, which we reviewed in Episode 86, and it left us with a lot of questions. One of the film’s featured participants, Eric Isaac, got in touch to let us know he could help fill in the gaps. So instead of a ... more

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Palm oil has a notoriously bad reputation; mention it, and you’ll likely hear strong criticism, particularly if you manage the social media of a podcast that very recently discussed Cadbury’s Easter egg packaging. But is the story really that simple?... more

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Recent Guests

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
James Howells
The individual known for losing millions in Bitcoin stored on a hard drive that ended up in a landfill
Episode: 52. How landfills actually work

Hosts

James Piper
Host of the show; co-host known for research-driven discussions on recycling, sustainability, and waste policy.
Robbie Staniforth
Co-host with a hands-on, practical approach to recycling and policy implications, known for industry insight and engaging commentary.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 464 ratings
  • The perfect mix

    I started listening to James and Robbie’s podcast last year after seeing them live at the NEC talking about paper bottles.

    Working in the waste industry, I went in slightly nervous. There’s a lot of greenwashing out there, and I wasn’t sure what I was about to hear.

    Robbie’s laugh did catch me off guard at first… but I was pleasantly surprised by the podcast content.

    I recently did a 400-mile round trip and worked my way through more episodes, so it was great to have you both keeping me compa... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheOfficialRealNaomi
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Brilliant show

    Loving the podcast as a fellow recycling nerd! Still learning loads so keep up the good work.

    8 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    macti
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • These are two spot on guys!

    Making waste interesting (for the unbelievable not waste ‘nerds’)! I’ve worked in and been passionate about waste for years but these podcasts are both fun, accessible and everyone can learn something regardless of their knowledge or experience. Keep up the good work and great chat/banter please, you’re doing a great job and hopefully gathering listeners all the time. Thanks for keeping me company whilst out walking too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GreenGal6
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • 82: an episode for the ages

    James (with help from Robbie) gave an excellent breakdown of the recent Guardian article on microplastic studies and its implications for us all. Huge congrats to them for this. The rest of the episode is high quality discussion.

    I will be recommending this episode to friends and colleagues

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plastic Scientist
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Changed our TP buying habits forever

    It’s hard to be a hand wringing environmentalist these days and to know what to do for the best. But these guys help us all navigate the world of rubbish as best we can. I get to berate my husband over the tiny things he throws into our single stream recycling. He now only buys 4 packs of toilet paper from the local supermarket because they measure up best on the Talking Rubbish TP criteria. Thank you for making rubbish and recycling so fact filled but funny.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SarsUSA
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High production quality and practical, family-friendly insights.
Engaging, informative and funny—a standout in sustainability content.
Listeners praise chemistry and deep dives into recycling topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#2
United Kingdom/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#33
United Kingdom/Education
Apple Podcasts
#45
France/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#168
Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#210
Australia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#10
Hong Kong/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
75. Sustainability around the world, with Ellie Piper
Q: What did you find to be the environmental challenges you encountered in Antarctica?
Ellie notes the strict protocols for not disturbing the pristine environment and the significant carbon impact of trips to Antarctica.
75. Sustainability around the world, with Ellie Piper
Q: What was the first thing that you noticed from a sustainability perspective in South America?
Ellie mentions being overwhelmed by the vastness of Bogotá and not initially noticing the sustainability side of things.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Rubbish

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

A lively deep dive into recycling, waste, and sustainability that blends rigorous analysis with accessible humor. Episodes frequently tackle how plastics are recycled, the economics of packaging, regulatory changes, and real-world impacts on households and businesses. The hosts balance critical takes on industry practices with practical tips for listeners to make greener choices, often inviting guests to illuminate technical challenges and evolving solutions. A standout trait is the mix of sharp banter, data-informed critique, and timely debates on policy shifts, branding, and consumer behavior that make the topic approachable without sacrificing depth.

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking Rubbish?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Rubbish:

1. Sliced Bread
2. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
3. Desert Island Discs
4. Strong Message Here
5. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

How many episodes of Talking Rubbish are there?

Talking Rubbish launched 2 years ago and published 93 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Talking Rubbish?

Recent guests on Talking Rubbish include:

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

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.

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