Talking Rubbish - Recycled Content

Wallpaper can't be recycled once it's been used, as it's usually contaminated with paste and often has coatings or mixed materials that make the paper unsuitable for recycling. Any leftover wallpaper in good condition is worth saving for future repairs or offering on local reuse or free swap groups, but once it's been stripped from the wall, it belongs in your general rubbish. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 94 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 14th May 2026. While every effort has been made to provide the most...

Air fresheners might look like packaging, but under the EU's new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), they're unlikely to disappear. PPWR introduces sweeping new rules on packaging, including bans on some single-use formats and ambitious reuse targets, but because the air freshener container is essential to delivering the product itself, it's more likely to be treated as part of the product rather than packaging. It's a great question, and one we'll explore in much more detail when PPWR starts coming into force. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 93 of Talking Rubbish...

Used cooking oil should never be poured down the sink. In this episode, we explain the best ways to dispose of it, from adding small amounts to your food waste to taking larger quantities to a recycling centre where it can be turned into biofuel. We also look at products that solidify cooking oil, whether they're worth using, and a few simple ways to stop leaky bin bags. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 93 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 7th May 2026. While every effort has been...

Litter-picked rubbish left for collection can look like fly-tipping, but if it's been arranged with your council or waste contractor, it isn't an illegal waste deposit. Before organising a litter pick, check your council's guidance, use the bags they provide where possible, and arrange collection or take the waste home. Coloured bags or clearly labelled sacks can also help prevent your hard work from being mistaken for a fly-tip. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 92 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 30th April 2026. While every effort has been...

Nasal sprays might look like simple plastic bottles, but are they actually recyclable? We investigate why some carry recycling labels despite containing a metal spring inside the pump mechanism, and reveal why the recycling advice on certain brands may be wrong. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 92 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 30th April 2026. 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...

Emily asked what percentage of AA and AAA batteries are actually recycled. The official UK figure suggests around 45% of household batteries are recycled, but the reality is more complicated. We explain why lead-acid batteries dominate the recycling statistics, why this masks the performance of everyday household batteries, and why the true recycling rate for AA and AAA-style batteries may be closer to 14% than 45%. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 91 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 23rd April 2026. While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate...

We've had loads of questions about plant pots recently, including from Andrea on WhatsApp and John in the Binbox. The good news is that, under Simpler Recycling, councils that collect pots, tubs and trays should now also be collecting most plastic plant pots at the kerbside, with DEFRA confirming they fall into the same category. If your council says yes to pots, tubs and trays but no to plant pots, it's worth challenging. Black plastic pots can still be tricky, but many garden centres and more than 100 B&Q stores currently offer take-back schemes, where the pots are recycled...

Why are cartons now going in the plastic bin? It does seem to contradict our usual rule of thumb for composite packaging, where we say to go with the predominant material. If it looks and feels like cardboard, it normally belongs with the cardboard recycling, even if it has a plastic lining. Cartons are the exception. The Government's guidance now recommends councils collect them with plastic recycling, although not every council has made the switch yet.  This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 89 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 9th April 2026. <p...

A few weeks ago we talked about glass plug-in air fresheners, which raised another question: what about the plastic bathroom air fresheners? At first glance, you'd think they'd be recyclable, but they're actually a tricky one. The outer shell is hard plastic with a sealed pouch of liquid inside, and the manufacturer says the unit isn't recyclable because it would need to be taken apart. It's a great example of a product that could easily be redesigned as a reusable container with refill pouches instead of being treated as single use. This episode of Recycled Content, is...

Ever noticed "Wash, Squash, Separate" on a recycling truck? It might sound like it contradicts our usual advice, but it depends on how your recycling is collected. If your recycling is source-separated at the kerb, squash away, it saves space and won't affect sorting. If it all goes into mixed recycling, it's usually better to leave bottles and cans intact because recycling centres often rely on their shape to sort them. As always, follow your local council's guidance. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 88 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 2nd...

Disposable floss picks, these tiny plastic-and-nylon dental tools are turning up on streets across Britain, prompting questions about why they're everywhere and how they should be disposed of. We discuss the rise in flossing, why floss picks are a recycling nightmare, and why reusable or disposable interdental brushes used and binned at home are a much better choice. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 88 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 2nd April 2026. While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes...

A deceptively simple question: what's actually more eco-friendly, paper towels or hand dryers? The answer depends on factors like the type of paper, the electricity source, and, most importantly, how long you use the dryer. High-speed hand dryers generally come out ahead if you're only using them briefly. We also revisit one of the greatest TED Talks ever: Joe Smith's unforgettable four-minute masterclass on drying your hands with a single folded paper towel. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 87 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 26th March 2026. While...

Ice packs seem simple, but not all are created equal. This week we compare water-filled packs with biodegradable gel versions, looking at what they're made from, how to dispose of them, and whether "drain safe" really means it's the best option. We also explore why some meal kit companies are switching to water-only packs and what the environmental trade-offs mean in practice. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 87 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 26th March 2026. While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate...

With Easter just around the corner (when we recorded this), we put some of the UK's biggest Easter eggs to the test to see which delivers the most chocolate for the least packaging. From classic Creme Eggs to the growing trend of smaller eggs, the results were surprisingly clear: bigger isn't better. We reveal which brands came out on top, why two small eggs can beat one large one, and how a giant premium egg ended up being almost half packaging by weight. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 86 of Talking Rubbish...

Can you recycle air freshener bottles? We untangle the confusing guidance from the biggest brands, explain which glass refills can usually go in your recycling, why plug-in devices count as electricals, and why some plastic air fresheners still aren't recyclable despite being made from plastic. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 86 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 19th March 2026. 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...

Are food waste disposers really a good alternative to a food waste caddy? We look at what manufacturers say, why UK water companies don't recommend sending food waste down the drain, and remind you of all the everyday items, from tea bags to bones and peelings, that can go in your food waste collection. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 84 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 5th March 2026. While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may...

Tree guards protect young trees from grazing animals, but if they're not removed in time they can become plastic pollution or even grow into the tree itself. We explore why millions are still used each year, whether biodegradable alternatives really work, why funding schemes often make them the default, and what better options exist for protecting newly planted woodland. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 84 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 5th March 2026. While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance...

Trigger sprays might seem simple, but they're surprisingly complex. We explore why they were once considered difficult to recycle because of their metal springs, how manufacturers have largely switched to all-plastic mechanisms, and what that means for recycling today. We also unpack the "cap on" recycling advice you'll often see on trigger spray bottles and ask whether we really need such a complicated disposable product in the first place. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 83 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 26th February 2026. While every effort has...

Alice on Discord asked whether EPR actually takes pigment into account. The answer is yes, but not as much as you might think. Earlier versions of the assessment, placed much more emphasis on colour, whereas the final PackUK methodology only flags carbon black pigment as a sortation issue. Most other colour-related impacts now sit under the "application" stage, where certain colours can reduce the quality of recycled plastic rather than prevent it from being recycled. There are some material-specific quirks too, like coloured PET bottles being penalised while PET trays aren't, and, perhaps inevitably, there's still plenty of room...

Can you recycle soap pumps? This week we dive into why they're more complicated than they look, how new spring-free designs are changing the game, whether it's better to keep reusing your pump with refill bottles, and the fascinating story behind how the humble soap pump became a household essential. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 82 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 19th February 2026.   While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become o...