Show Notes
Are stamps recyclable? Used stamps can be donated to charities, which sell collectable stamps to raise funds, although everyday stamps have very little value. If you're saving stamps, trim around them carefully, leaving about 1cm of envelope attached. As for stamp books, they're likely rubbish. Self-adhesive stamp backing paper is thought to be coated with silicone so stamps can peel away easily. Like greaseproof paper, this silicone coating can contaminate paper recycling, making the backing...
More from Talking Rubbish - Recycled Content
Many craft beer cans are wrapped in full paper labels rather than being printed directly onto the can, but don't worry, they can still be recycled. We explain how aluminium is separated using eddy currents, why these labels are usually removed during the recycling process, and why they're mainly used by smaller breweries that can't afford the huge print runs required for custom cans. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 99 of Talking Rubbish, which first a...
Sports nutrition products generate a surprising amount of packaging waste, with a single marathon using hundreds of thousands of gel sachets. We explore whether these pouches can be recycled, the shift towards mono-material packaging, and some innovative alternatives, from edible energy bars with beeswax coatings to Notpla's edible sports drink bubbles used at the London Marathon. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 99 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired ...
A listener asked what to do with wild animals brought home by a hunting cat. While it might seem like they belong in food or garden waste, dead wild animals are generally not accepted because they fall under different animal by-product rules. Many councils advise placing them, bagged up, in your general waste bin instead, although it's always worth checking your local guidance. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 98 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired o...
A listener asked how to dispose of asbestos safely. Asbestos should never be put in your household bin and is best taken to a household recycling centre that accepts it, after checking with your local council. If you ever need to handle small amounts, take great care by wearing appropriate protection and double-bagging it. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish or Not' from episode 98 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 11th June 2026. While every effort has been made...
A listener asked whether crushed cans collected during litter picks will still qualify for a deposit return. In most cases, if a can is too damaged for the barcode to be read, you won't get the deposit back, although some manual return points may have discretion. Rejected containers should still be recyclable, and donation options could help ensure deposits still support good causes rather than encouraging people to search through bins. This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Quest...