Important information setting out changes to bin collection days will be delivered to residents over the next few weeks.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is introducing changes to waste collections from Monday 12 October to help meet government mandatory waste reduction targets.

Targets set by the government mean low recycling rates in Basingstoke and Deane need to more than double from 30% to 65% by 2035, and the amount of rubbish thrown away each year must be cut by half by 2042.

The changes to waste collections will see residents’ rubbish bins being emptied each fortnight, on the opposite week to their recycling bin. Food waste caddies will continue to be emptied each week and glass collected fortnightly.

Envelopes containing printed leaflets with cut-out-and-keep bin collection calendars will start landing on residents’ doormats from the end of this week. 

The calendars are tailored to individual properties and show the new collection dates for all waste and recycling containers over the coming months. This includes over the festive period where collection dates temporarily change to allow crews time to catch up after the Christmas break.

Residents can also double check their dates online at any time at https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/bincollections and use this link once the printed calendar has run out.

Over 40% of what is found in the borough's waste bins can be recycled using the services provided by the council. To support residents to reduce what they throw away and maximise what they recycle from home, the council has refreshed its waste and recycling webpages, sent a recycling leaflet to households earlier in the year and also reinforced this advice in the bin collections calendar leaflet. 

There is also information on recycling items at the borough council’s recycling sites and links to advice on recycling and how to reduce everyday household waste.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “I encourage residents to look out for their collection calendars and keep them safe, ready for Monday 12 October when changes to waste collections start. These calendars will tell residents if we are changing the day we empty their bins and will clearly set out when they need to be put out for collection. They also carry useful information on what can be recycled in the borough.

“We are working really hard to support all of our residents so that they are ready for these changes and can take positive action to free up space in their rubbish bins by maximising what they recycle and reducing what gets thrown away.”

Residents wanting to find out more information about the changes to waste collections, how to recycle more from home using the council’s collection services, recycling or disposing of other household items, or requesting an extra or new bin can visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/bins