Households across Andover and Test Valley are starting to receive their new food waste caddy packs ahead of the launch of the borough’s food waste recycling service this autumn.
Test Valley Borough Council has begun the rollout with the help of a specialist distribution company, with deliveries expected to take up to seven weeks to complete.
Each standard household will receive a five-litre kitchen caddy, a 23-litre kerbside caddy, a roll of caddy liners, and an information leaflet explaining how the new weekly service will work.
For households that share bins, deliveries will instead include a 140-litre grey-lidded food waste wheeled bin for the shared bin store, with one kitchen caddy supplied to each property.
The new collection service will officially begin on Monday 13 October 2025, with residents asked not to use their caddies until the week commencing 6 October. Postcards confirming collection days will be delivered to all households in September.
Food waste will be collected weekly and sent to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it will be transformed into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser – helping to cut the amount of waste sent to landfill and boosting recycling rates across the borough.
To add some fun to the rollout, 20 golden tickets have been hidden inside randomly selected caddy packs. Winners can claim prizes including a £50 voucher for The Lights, or a three-month premium membership for Andover Leisure Centre, Romsey Rapids, or Knightwood Leisure Centre.
Councillor David Drew, portfolio holder for Recycling and Environmental Services, said:
“The council is committed to the delivery of waste service changes as required by the Environment Act. We know this new food waste collection service is eagerly anticipated by many residents across the borough. It marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to improve recycling and reduce waste.
By introducing the service ahead of the government’s deadline, we’re demonstrating our dedication to providing residents with the tools they need to recycle more effectively.”
The service is being introduced ahead of the government’s deadline, which requires all councils to have food waste collections in place by 1 April 2026.
For more information about the food waste collection service, including FAQs and guidance on what can and cannot go in your caddy, visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/foodwaste.
