89. Is palm oil really that bad? episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 9, 2026 · 55 MIN

89. Is palm oil really that bad?

from Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast · host James Piper, Robbie Staniforth

Palm oil has a notoriously bad reputation; mention it, and you’ll likely hear strong criticism, particularly if you manage the social media of a podcast that very recently discussed Cadbury’s Easter egg packaging. But is the story really that simple? In this episode, we take a closer look at palm oil; what’s driving its environmental impact, why it’s so widely used, and what can realistically be done about it. Plus, are plastic air fresheners rubbish or not, why are cardboard cartons going in the plastic bin, and why might a paid tier of Talking Rubbish get us in trouble? Join hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth as they delve into the world of recycling, hopefully having fun along the way. One thing is for sure, they will talk absolute rubbish from start to finish. Please take a moment to complete the Simpler Recycling tracker We would love you to join our community on Discord Special thanks to our sponsor, Ecosurety To get exclusive videos and clips, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads or Facebook; @rubbishpodcast or YouTube: @talkingrubbishpodcast Or you can contact James and Robbie with questions or just general rubbish musings using the email address [email protected] or by texting them via WhatsApp on 07356 069 232 Relevant links and reports mentioned in the programme can be found on the Talking Rubbish Linktr.ee Transcripts and episodes can be found on the Talking Rubbish website Timestamps: Is palm oil really that bad? - 02:10 Additions and corrections - 31:22 Rubbish or Not: plastic air fresheners - 38:54 Rubbish News - 42:46 Why are cardboard cartons going in the plastic bin? - 47:29 Residual Rubbish - 50:58 Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL Music licence ID: 6WPY8Q4O2RPFIOTL

Palm oil has a notoriously bad reputation; mention it, and you’ll likely hear strong criticism, particularly if you manage the social media of a podcast that very recently discussed Cadbury’s Easter egg packaging. But is the story really that simple? In this episode, we take a closer look at palm oil; what’s driving its environmental impact, why it’s so widely used, and what can realistically be done about it. Plus, are plastic air fresheners rubbish or not, why are cardboard cartons going in...

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89. Is palm oil really that bad?

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This episode is 55 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 9, 2026.

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Palm oil has a notoriously bad reputation; mention it, and you’ll likely hear strong criticism, particularly if you manage the social media of a podcast that very recently discussed Cadbury’s Easter egg packaging. But is the story really that...

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