Talking Rubbish - Recycled Content

This week’s Rubbish or Not looks at Carex handwash refill pouches, which use 85% less plastic than bottles. Carex says the pouches can be recycled if you “snip to recycle”, but listener Alison struggled to find where. The answer lies in the Recycle Now locator used on the Carex website; these pouches are usually classified as either “cleaning pouches” or “plastic bags and wrapping” (flexible plastics), rather than “handwash refills”, making them harder to track down but recyclable at participating supermarket collection points.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 68 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 13th November 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

When choosing aluminium foil, is it better to buy the one labelled "recyclable" or the one "made from recycled material"? In this episode, we unpack the difference between these two common claims and explore whether they're really telling consumers anything useful. We discuss why most aluminium already contains recycled content, why marketers choose one message over another, and whether recycled-content percentages should be displayed on packaging. We also tackle the surprising suggestion that baking paper is the more sustainable option, and whether recyclable aluminium foil might actually come out on top.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 67 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 6th November 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

Scratch cards have been around for decades, but are they rubbish or not? In this episode, we look at what scratch cards are made from, how the scratch-off coating works, and whether scratching it away creates microplastics. Using a National Lottery scratch card as an example, we explore its recyclability, the materials involved, and whether digital alternatives might be the better option for regular players. 

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 67 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 6th November 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

This episode looks at pre-consumer recycling, inspired by a Paw Patrol toy labelled as being made with pre-consumer recycled plastic. Unlike post-consumer recycling, which uses materials collected from households, pre-consumer recycling uses manufacturing waste such as plastic offcuts and defective parts. We explore whether this should count as recycling or simply efficient manufacturing, and ask whether industrial scrap is truly waste in the first place.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 66 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 30th October 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

Are water pistols recyclable? Usually not in your kerbside recycling. Most are made from tough engineering plastics, likely ABS, which aren't commonly collected by local recycling schemes. If they're still usable, donation is the best option. If broken, your local recycling centre may be able to accept them.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 66 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 30th October 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

Keep Britain Tidy estimates that around two million pieces of litter are dropped every day in the UK, with street cleaning costing taxpayers more than £1 billion annually. While most people understand that dropping rubbish can lead to a fine, the legal definition of litter is not always as clear-cut as it might seem. In this episode, we examine a case that challenged assumptions about what constitutes littering, exploring the legislation, guidance and enforcement practices that sit behind Fixed Penalty Notices. Through a well-publicised incident involving a cup of coffee and a street drain, we ask how litter laws are applied in practice and whether common sense always aligns with enforcement.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 64 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 16th October 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

The iconic red Solo cup, from its surprisingly useful measurement ridges and budget-friendly polystyrene construction to the challenges of recycling a product that remains a staple of American parties. We explore the environmental impact of these cups, why they're still so common, and how their story reflects broader questions about convenience, waste, and disposable culture.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 64 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 16th October 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

Recycling is often criticised as a distraction from bigger environmental challenges, but is that really true? We explore the argument that recycling creates complacency and discuss why it remains an important part of a wider sustainability system. We examine the role of personal responsibility, policy, economics and behaviour change, and why reducing waste, improving recycling and tackling larger environmental issues are not mutually exclusive. Recycling may not be a silver bullet, but abandoning it could leave us with even worse outcomes.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 63 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 9th October 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

Are balloons really as harmless as they seem? James and Robbie take a closer look at the environmental impact of both foil and latex balloons, separating industry claims from reality. From complex multi-layer materials that make foil balloons impossible to recycle, to questions around whether latex balloons truly biodegrade, the episode explores what happens when balloons become waste and the risks they can pose to wildlife. The conversation also uncovers some surprising history, challenges common misconceptions, and considers whether reusable balloon clips could offer a more sustainable way to celebrate.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 63 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 9th October 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF

How important are recycling bins when you're out and about? After a listener spotted a lack of recycling facilities in Bristol city centre, James and Robbie explore the impact of on-the-go recycling and what happens when the right bins aren't available. Featuring insights from Bristol Waste, the episode looks at the challenges of capturing recyclable materials away from home, the success of Bristol's "In The Loop" recycling bins, and why clear messaging and convenient locations can make all the difference in keeping valuable materials out of general waste.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 62 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 2nd October 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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, X, 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

Music licence ID: 3GXXBILNPGLYRUZF