When choosing aluminium foil, is it better to buy the one labelled "recyclable" or the one "made from recycled material"? In this episode, we unpack the difference between these two common claims and explore whether they're really telling consumers anything useful. We discuss why most aluminium already contains recycled content, why marketers choose one message over another, and whether recycled-content percentages should be displayed on packaging. We also tackle the surprising suggestion that baking paper is the more sustainable option, and whether recyclable aluminium foil might actually come out on top.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 67 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 6th November 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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