After four episodes digging into deposit return schemes, we sit down with Julian Hunt from Exchange for Change to put some of our biggest questions directly to the organisation delivering the UK’s DRS. We discuss why drinks containers were chosen, whether DRS really reduces litter, how the 20p deposit was set, what happens to reverse vending machines at end of life, who is actually paying to get t

Norway gets around 98% of its bottles and cans back, so what makes its deposit return scheme work so well? This week, we unpack a system that is technically voluntary, yet has become one of the most successful in the world. We explore the tax that gives producers a huge incentive to hit their targets, the thousands of places consumers can return their drinks containers, what happens to all those b

What if you could get your 20p deposit back without ever leaving the house? This week, we explore digital deposit return and why the seemingly simple idea of scanning a bottle or can and putting it in your recycling bin gets complicated very quickly. We look at the challenges of making DRS digital, the trials already taking place around the world, and whether the UK could be building one of the la

Why might the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme be free for drinks brands for its first 15 months? We dig into the surprising finances behind DRS, from producer fees and the value of recycled material to the huge sums generated by unclaimed 20p deposits. Using Ireland’s scheme and the UK Government’s own forecasts, we ask who will really pay for DRS, why lower return rates can actually make the system mo

Deposit return schemes can deliver impressive recycling rates. With that in mind, what can we learn from countries already using them? Following a trip to Ireland, James shares his experience of the country’s DRS, from the ease of spotting return points to the unexpected economy created by putting a value on bottles and cans. We look at what Ireland gets right, some of the unintended consequences,

How do you talk about environmental issues without preaching, oversimplifying or making people feel powerless? In this episode, we are joined by environmental journalist and broadcaster Lucy Siegle to explore what she’s learned from more than 20 years communicating sustainability. We discuss whether focusing on systemic change was really a mistake, why recycling can be a gateway to much bigger env

Recycling labels are about to change, but will they actually make recycling easier? In this episode, we look at the EU’s plans for harmonised packaging labels, including a proposed system of 24 different pictograms. Harmonisation sounds like a good idea, but what happens when those labels appear on packaging in the UK without matching labels on our bins? And are we moving from a simple instruction

The UK is sending huge amounts of plastic waste to Turkey, but what actually happens to it when it gets there? We dig into the numbers behind the headlines to find out what we're really exporting, why Turkey has become such a major destination, and how much actually comes from our household recycling. It turns out the story isn't simply about waste being dumped overseas. Turkey has a huge recyclin

Fires at waste and recycling sites are becoming increasingly common, with batteries, vapes and gas canisters ending up where they shouldn’t. In this episode, we look at why our bins now contain more energy than ever before, why awareness alone doesn’t seem to be solving the problem, and how these fires could make recycling increasingly expensive. Plus, we discuss a deposit return scheme we can act

Could your fridge actually be causing food waste? This week, we explore the psychology behind the modern fridge, why bigger shelves and hidden drawers can encourage us to buy more than we need, and how simply forgetting what's at the back may be responsible for more waste than food actually going off. We also discuss whether smart fridges are really the answer, or just another gadget promising to

Food waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges we rarely talk about, with the average UK household throwing away around £1,000 worth of perfectly good food every year. In this episode, we are joined by Tessa Clarke, co-founder of Olio, to explore how a simple idea has grown into a global community redistributing millions of meals. We discuss why so much food is wasted at home, what busi

In 2022, the Government committed to introducing kerbside collections for flexible plastics by 2027. Last week, that deadline was pushed back to 2030, a decision that has left James and Robbie, who have spent years preparing for the original timeline, deeply frustrated. In this episode, we unpack what the delay means for one of the UK's most challenging waste streams, why it matters for consumers

Forever chemicals have become a major focus in the media, with growing concern about PFAS turning up in our food, drinking water, and everyday products. But how much of the alarm is justified? How real are the risks, and is this something that should change the way we live, or is the picture more complicated than the headlines suggest? Plus, is a zip lock bag rubbish or not, will PPWR stifle innov

Last month Adidas, Uniqlo, and Calvin Klein all came under scrutiny for making misleading environmental claims. What did they actually say and what do these cases reveal about the future of sustainability marketing? This week, we take a deeper look at greenwashing, unpacking why environmental claims in the fashion industry are so difficult to get right. We explore what brands can learn and how sus

From August 2026, the packaging industry enters a new era with the rollout of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation). In this episode, we break down what the new rules mean in practice, explore the biggest changes brands need to prepare for, and discuss how businesses are responding to one of the most significant shifts in packaging regulation in recent years. Plus, are Panini sticker

We’ve made it to Episode 100! Reaching this milestone gave us a chance to pause and reflect on the journey so far. Joined by a live online audience for the recording, we look back on the first 100 episodes, introduce a new feature for the next chapter of the show, and celebrate the occasion with a few games and surprises. Episode 100 also marks another exciting step forward: our move to video. If

Cartons are a staple of everyday life, but they're far more complicated than they appear. Made from layers of paper, plastic and sometimes aluminium, they're designed to keep food fresh and lightweight to transport, but that same design makes them challenging to recycle. Following recent news that the UK's carton recycling capacity has taken a significant hit, we explore why cartons became so popu

“Plastic-free” has become a powerful marketing claim, but is it always accurate? Following the EU’s formal definition of plastic, the term has come under greater scrutiny, raising questions about how it is used and understood. In this episode, we trace the origins of “plastic-free,” explore the nuances behind the label, and discuss why making the claim may not be as straightforward as it seems. Pl

Reusable packaging is gaining momentum across Europe, especially in France where ambitious reuse laws are reshaping retail and hospitality. Fresh from the Reuse Economy Expo in Paris, we discuss why we believe much of the industry is over-engineering the solution, and why the future of reuse may be far simpler than many realise. Plus, are posters rubbish or not, can you claim a deposit from a crus

For nearly 30 years, the UK has operated a system designed to make brands contribute towards the cost of recycling through Packaging Recycling Notes (PRNs). This week, we take a closer look at how the system really works, where it succeeds, where it falls short, and what the future of recycling funding in the UK could look like. Plus, is expanded polyethylene rubbish or not, are stickers on fruit