Residents help collect more than 400 tonnes of food waste in first five weeks of new service
Residents across Test Valley have embraced the borough’s new weekly food waste collection service, helping to recycle an impressive 420 tonnes in its first five weeks.
The scheme, which launched in October, has exceeded expectations and is already making a big difference. By separately recycling food waste, residents are reducing the amount of household waste sent to the county’s energy from waste facilities.
After collection, the food waste is taken to a local anaerobic digestion facility, where it’s transformed into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser.
420 tonnes is the equivalent to the weight of around 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.
“We have introduced this service to almost 60,000 households at once. Our collection teams have been working hard since the service launched, learning and improving their new rounds, and emptying caddies each week. Thank you for your support with this - by following the guidance, and putting your caddy out for collection as instructed, you have certainly helped the service run smoothly.”
The local authority introduced this new collection service five months early, as the Environment Act required all councils to have food waste collections in place by 1 April 2026. It’s one of several steps being taken to make Test Valley greener and more sustainable.
For more information about the food waste collection service, including what can go in your caddy, visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/foodwaste.