Residents across Test Valley have got behind the borough’s new weekly food waste collection service in a big way, with more than 420 tonnes collected in just the first five weeks.
The service launched in early October and has already exceeded expectations. By separating food waste from general rubbish, households are helping cut down the amount of waste sent to Hampshire’s energy-from-waste facilities – while contributing to greener, more sustainable waste management across the borough.
All food waste collected is sent to a local anaerobic digestion facility, where it’s turned into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser. To put the numbers into perspective, 420 tonnes is roughly the weight of one million footballs.
Councillor David Drew, Test Valley Borough Council’s portfolio holder for recycling, said:
“We’re thrilled with the response from residents. Collecting on average more than 80 tonnes every week shows how committed our residents and communities are to reducing waste and protecting the environment. And I’m sure homeowners have also noticed the reductions in their black bins.
“Thank you to everyone who’s taken part – this is a fantastic start.”
He also praised the efforts of the council’s collection teams, who have been adapting to new routes while emptying almost 60,000 household caddies each week.
The rollout comes five months ahead of the national requirement set out in the Environment Act, which means all councils must offer food waste recycling by April 2026. Test Valley says this is one of several steps it is taking to improve local sustainability, reduce environmental impact and support residents in cutting waste.
Residents can find guidance on what can and can’t go in their food caddy at www.testvalley.gov.uk/foodwaste.