Masterchef star backs campaign to boost recycling

A Masterchef star is backing a campaign to show how much recyclable waste is routinely thrown away at a cost to the taxpayer.

Sam Kaeokon, who reached the final of the TV cooking show this year, said his general waste has reduced more than half since Swindon Borough Council introduced food waste collections in 2023.

The council pays £140 to incinerate each tonne of general waste, with a total annual cost to the taxpayer of £2m.

Councillor Chris Watts, cabinet member for the environment, thanked residents who "religiously recycle" but said others need a "nudge" to stop them "burning their own money".

Ten randomly selected general waste bins from across Swindon were reduced to three once recyclables were removed

Mr Kaeokon, who finished in the top four of Masterchef 2025, has collaborated with the council to highlight the importance of recycling.

The Masterchef finalist said as well as saving taxpayers money it is important to help "save the world".

He said meal planning is important to limit food waste but admitted "you can't use every single thing all of the time".

Waste warden, Chris Smith, wants people to "play ball" and recycle more

This month the council conducted an experiment to demonstrate the amount of recyclables routinely thrown away, destined for incineration.

Ten general waste bins were randomly selected from across the town and sifted through by council waste warden, Chris Smith, who was able to fill over a dozen recycling bins and bags reducing the general waste bins from 10 to three.

Mr Smith said "education and engagement" is needed to help people use the services provided but that he finds it "egregious that someone would put [for example] glass in the general waste".

He added: "It's very disappointing when you put a lot of effort into something and people don't play ball."

Councillor Chris Watts wants to raise recycling rates to 50% in the area

Statistics from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, (Defra), for 2023/24 showed Swindon Borough Council's recycling rates as 33.8%.

Councillor Chris Watts said the council has improved this rate to 40% with the goal of reaching 50%, something he said is achievable.

The importance of recycling is not solely about saving taxpayer money, accourding to Mr Watts, it is also about creating much needed funds for the council by selling bundled recyclables and food waste to companies.

Adding this capacity has been improved by the introduction of a £1m recycling sorting machine which has reduced the council's rejection rate to "below 1%" which he said is "a phenomenal figure" and places as one the "best rates in the country".