83. Is climate collaboration illegal?

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of climate collaboration in light of potential antitrust law violations in the US and compares it with UK competition law.

In October 2025, five US state attorneys general wrote to environmental organisations warning that their collaboration efforts could potentially breach antitrust laws. Their argument: consumers should retain the right to choose packaging even if it harms the environment. This week, we unpack what happened, explore the key differences between US and UK competition law when it comes to companies working together on green initiatives, and examine what organisations can do to protect themselves from similar legal challenges. Plus, are triggers rubbish or not, how would we listen to our own podcast, and why has Robbie been embarrassed by a comedy gig?

People in this episode

Hosts: James Piper, Robbie Staniforth

Topics covered

• climate collaboration
• antitrust laws
• competition law
• green initiatives
• legal challenges
• environmental impact

Keywords

• climate collaboration
• antitrust
• competition law
• green initiatives
• legal challenges
• environmental organisations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: environmental organisations, antitrust laws

Places: US, UK

More episodes of Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

• 98. Should we ban ‘plastic-free’ packaging? · June 11, 2026 · 60 min
• 97. Why we're getting reusable packaging wrong · June 4, 2026 · 60 min
• 96. How recycling is really funded · May 28, 2026 · 59 min
• 95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen · May 21, 2026 · 60 min
• 94. From Kindle to kindling - how Big Tech creates waste · May 14, 2026 · 60 min
• 93. The death of the barcode - a win for sustainability? · May 7, 2026 · 59 min