Benedict Cumberbatch isn’t holding back when it comes to the film industry’s environmental footprint. The Doctor Strange star has slammed Hollywood for being “grossly wasteful,” calling for urgent action to improve sustainability across movie productions.
Speaking on the Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast, Cumberbatch emphasized the sheer volume of waste generated on set — from unrecycled materials and energy-hungry lighting to transportation and food waste.
“It’s a grossly wasteful industry,” he said. “Think about set builds that aren’t recycled, think about transport, think about food, think about housing but also light and energy.”
He pointed to small but meaningful changes like banning single-use plastic bottles as a good place to start. According to him, there’s no excuse for not making eco-conscious choices in today’s world.
“You don’t have to give the crew plastic bottles,” he said. “We’re in the 21st century.”
But Cumberbatch also acknowledged the backlash actors often receive when they speak out on climate or sustainability issues — especially when their own lifestyles come under scrutiny.
“The first people to stick their head above the parapet… get slammed if they’re actors, because they’re ferried about,” he noted.
Still, he insists he’s trying to lead by example behind the scenes, especially as a producer.
“I try to push the green initiative, the green handshake into every agreement I can,” he said. “Even if it’s just a gentlemanly discussion: can we not have single-use plastic?”
The actor also opened up about the physical demands of his role as Doctor Strange, revealing he had to eat five meals a day to maintain his physique — something he now reflects on with discomfort.
“It’s horrific, eating beyond your appetite,” he said. “I could feed a family with the amount I’m eating.”
Cumberbatch says while the training gave him stamina and confidence, it made him question excess in both personal and professional contexts.
“Going back to responsibility and sustainability, it’s just like, what am I doing?”
As one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, Cumberbatch is using his platform to challenge the film industry to rethink how it operates — not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes too.
