About this episode

The episode explores the funding of recycling in the UK, examining the effectiveness of the current system and discussing future possibilities.

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 and veg compostable, and why is James boring a lot of TikTok? Join hosts James Piper and Robbie S...

People in this episode

Hosts: James Piper, Robbie Staniforth

Topics covered

• recycling funding
• Packaging Recycling Notes
• UK recycling system
• environmental impact
• sustainability

Keywords

• recycling
• funding
• UK
• Packaging Recycling Notes
• sustainability
• environment
• expanded polyethylene
• compostable stickers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UK

Products: Packaging Recycling Notes, TikTok

More episodes of Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

• 98. Should we ban ‘plastic-free’ packaging? · June 10, 2026 · 60 min
• 97. Why we're getting reusable packaging wrong · June 3, 2026 · 60 min
• 95. The tech that could end overpackaged boxes, with Jude Pullen · May 20, 2026 · 60 min
• 94. From Kindle to kindling - how Big Tech creates waste · May 13, 2026 · 60 min

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