92. How the war in Iran is reshaping the plastic market

About this episode

This episode explores how the war in Iran is affecting the plastic market and the implications for future consumer products.

Since February, the war in Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil flows and sending shockwaves through industries worldwide. But amid the turmoil, an unexpected consequence has emerged, recycled plastic is becoming more attractive to major brands. In this episode, we explore how the conflict is reshaping the economics of plastic, and what that could mean for the products we buy in the years ahead. Plus, are nasal spray bottles rubbish or not, is litter-pick...

People in this episode

Hosts: Robbie, James Piper, Robbie Staniforth

Topics covered

• plastic market
• recycling
• global oil flows
• economics of plastic
• environmental impact
• consumer products

Keywords

• recycled plastic
• oil flows
• litter
• fly-tipping
• nasal spray bottles
• economics
• conflict

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: major brands

Places: Iran, Strait of Hormuz

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