Food waste caddies begin delivery across Test Valley
Households across Test Valley will soon receive their food waste caddy packs as part of the borough’s new food waste recycling service, which launches this autumn.
Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), with the help of a specialist distribution company, has begun the rollout of food waste caddies to homes throughout the area, which is expected to take up to seven weeks to complete.
Each standard household will receive a five-litre kitchen caddy, a 23-litre kerbside caddy, one roll of caddy liners, and an information leaflet explaining how the new food waste collection service works.
For households that share bins, deliveries will include a 140-litre grey-lidded food waste wheeled bin for the bin store, rather than a kerbside caddy.
Residents are being reminded to store their caddy liners in a dry place and keep the information leaflet safe for future reference.
The new food waste collection service will officially begin on Monday 13 October 2025, so the caddies should not be used until week commencing 6 October.
Residents will also soon receive postcards telling them what day their food waste will be collected.
The service aims to reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfill and increase recycling rates across the borough. Food waste will be collected weekly and taken to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it will be turned into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser.
The Environment Act requires all councils to have food waste collections in place by 1 April 2026.
To celebrate the rollout, TVBC has hidden 20 golden tickets inside randomly selected caddy packs.
Lucky winners can choose from a range of exciting prizes, including a £50 gift voucher for The Lights, and a three-month premium membership for Andover Leisure Centre, Romsey Rapids, and 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.”
For more information about the food waste collection service, including FAQs and guidance on what can and cannot go in your caddy, please visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/foodwaste.