Hugh uncovers the true extent of waste in a new series for BBC One

The three part series, Waste (working title), will follow Hugh as he tries to discover what really happens to the rubbish we carefully sort into our recycling bins each week. He’ll ask why supermarkets throw away tonnes of fresh food every year, and he’ll uncover some shocking truths about the wastefulness of the fashion industry.

As well as throwing down the gauntlet to big businesses to waste less, Hugh will also try and encourage the public to get on board and play its part in reducing senseless wastefulness.

BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore said: “I’m delighted to welcome Hugh to BBC One and am really thrilled he’ll be presenting this series next year. Waste is an increasingly important issue and one I know Hugh is passionate about and I’m sure his series will really strike a chord with our audiences.”

Keo Films Managing Director Debbie Manners said: “This is a fantastic project for Keo and for Hugh. Hugh’s an experienced campaigner with a fantastic track record in tackling environmental problems that everybody can help to solve. And in fact it’s the “everybody” in this story that makes this such a perfect subject for BBC1."

Hugh said: “I’ve been itching to take on the issue of Waste for a while now, and to be given the opportunity to do so on BBC1 is just brilliant. It’s a scandal how much perfectly good food and brand new clothing are being thrown away, and how much unnecessary packaging is being dumped in landfill. As ever, I hope we can make compelling shows that change the way people think and how things are done. Big businesses have been skirting around this issue for a while now, and it’s time for them to face up to their responsibilities.”

Armed with his evidence, Hugh will challenge supermarkets; manufacturers; clothes retailers; and local authorities to change their wasteful ways.

And he’ll also set challenges to members of the public to encourage them to think about their behaviour and the impact it has on wastefulness and will offer simple tips on how we can all reduce waste.

Keo will be advised on the project by award winning waste campaigner Tristram Stuart. Keo founder and Creative Director Andrew Palmer will Executive Produce the series.