Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast
James Piper, Robbie Staniforth
Show overview
Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 109 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 100 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 52 min and 59 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 5 days ago, with 34 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 52 episodes published. Published by James Piper, Robbie Staniforth.
From the publisher
"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 does the research, while Robbie brings his unfiltered knowledge to the table, making for an unexpectedly entertaining deep dive into the weird and wonderful world of recycling. From busting myths to answering the wildest questions, you’ll laugh, learn, and maybe even rethink what you toss in the bin. “Eye-opening stuff and only rarely dry” - The Guardian "Who knew rubbish could be so interesting" - Radio Times "This podcast will make you smarter and greener" - The i "Full of handy, informative insights" - Heat
Latest Episodes
View all 109 episodes108. Why are we sending so much plastic to Turkey?
107. Why our bins keep catching fire
106. Why your fridge is making you waste food
105. The free food app rescuing millions of meals, with Tessa Clarke from Olio
104. Why flexible plastic might never be recycled
103. PFAS - what you need to know about forever chemicals
102. Greenwashing exposed - what Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein got wrong
101. PPWR - why packaging will never be the same
100 episodes later...still Talking Rubbish
99. Why cartons aren't being recycled
98. Should we ban ‘plastic-free’ packaging?
97. Why we're getting reusable packaging wrong
96. How recycling is really funded
95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen
94. From Kindle to kindling - how Big Tech creates waste
93. The death of the barcode - a win for sustainability?
92. How the war in Iran is reshaping the plastic market
91. Is the Government driving up plastic use?
90. Inside Netflix's 'The Plastic Detox' - the story beyond the screen, with Eric Isaac
Ep 8989. Is palm oil really that bad?
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? In this episode, we take a closer look at palm oil; what’s driving its environmental impact, why it’s so widely used, and what can realistically be done about it. Plus, are plastic air fresheners rubbish or not, why are cardboard cartons going in the plastic bin, and why might a paid tier of Talking Rubbish get us in trouble? 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 [email protected] 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: Is palm oil really that bad? - 02:10 Additions and corrections - 31:22 Rubbish or Not: plastic air fresheners - 38:54 Rubbish News - 42:46 Why are cardboard cartons going in the plastic bin? - 47:29 Residual Rubbish - 50:58 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL