Proposals to support the introduction of household food waste collections across the county are set to be considered later this month by Hampshire County Council. For the first time, arrangements could be established to process food waste collected from households at two specialist local facilities.
On Monday 23 June, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Universal Services, Councillor Kirsty North, will review recommendations for food waste to be recycled through anaerobic digestion – a process where bacteria breaks down organic matter producing valuable by-products such as renewable gas and organic fertilizer, and which is the Government’s preferred method for recycling food waste. It is estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 tonnes of food waste will be collected annually from homes, which will then need to be processed.
Councillor Kirsty North said: “Residents across Hampshire tell me they are keen to recycle more, so it’s vital we have the right infrastructure in place to support them. The planned expansion of household food waste collections by Waste Collection Authorities across Hampshire is great news, with all areas due to have a scheme in place by April 2026. Having separate collections for this type of waste will require specialist processing, and I will carefully consider proposals to meet this additional need.”
The proposals are in line with the Government’s Simpler Recycling guidance that requires all Waste Collection Authorities – which in Hampshire comprises district and borough councils, as well as the unitary authorities of Portsmouth and Southampton – to implement kerbside food waste collections by April 2026 as part of a wider package of changes to deliver a more consistent and streamlined approach to recycling in England.
Currently, food waste collections are operated by Eastleigh Borough Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, and Portsmouth City Council, with New Forest District Council currently phasing in this new service. All other Hampshire authorities will be introducing food waste collections between now and April 2026.
As Waste Disposal Authorities, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, and Southampton City Council have a statutory duty to fund and provide appropriate facilities to recycle and dispose of household waste.
The proposals also highlight the environmental and cost benefits of reducing food waste from homes. It is estimated, on average, that a quarter of the waste put in household bins is food that could have been eaten. Residents can visit Hampshire County Council’s Smart Living and Kitchen Food Heroes webpages for practical tips and advice.
For details of the proposals to be considered are available on the County Council’s website.