Talking Rubbish - Recycled Content

Fruit stickers might be tiny, but they raise surprisingly big questions. In this episode, we explore why they're needed, what happens when they end up in food waste, why composting and anaerobic digestion treat them...

Expanded foam packaging, such as expanded LDPE used around blinds and picture frames, sits in a recycling grey area. It's neither truly rigid nor flexible, so it's usually not accepted in kerbside or flexible plastic...

What happens to all those discarded drinks bottles at the London Marathon, and what might change when the UK's Deposit Return Scheme arrives? We explore how the event already collects bottles separately for recycling...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...