Working with their waste collection contractor Serco, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hart District Council will launch the new recycling service the week beginning Monday 6 October, ahead of the government’s mandatory deadline of April 2026.

This means residents should now start filling their food waste caddies to recycle more and cut the amount of waste being put into the rubbish bin. All food waste must be contained in liners or plastic bags and will be collected weekly on the same day as residents' rubbish and recycling containers, unless they have been told otherwise.  

Over the past two months all households were delivered caddy packs that included a silver indoor caddy, a green outdoor caddy, an information leaflet and a roll of liners.

Those people who share waste and recycling bins will receive their indoor caddy and large communal bins this week, ahead of the first food waste collection.

All food items put into the caddies - including fruit and vegetable peelings, raw or cooked meat and fish including bones and shells, tea bags and coffee grounds, eggshells, pet food and all uneaten food and plate scrapings - will be turned into greener energy and fertiliser.

Residents can check their information leaflet for what can go into their food waste caddy or scan the QR code on the top of the silver indoor caddy. 

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “To get ready for the launch of the new food waste recycling service, we have delivered well over 100,000 caddies across both areas, with those properties who share communal bins being delivered this week.  

“Residents have told us they want to recycle more and this new service is a positive step towards driving up the amount we as a borough recycle and cutting down the amount thrown away into our rubbish bins.

“Food waste collections provide a great opportunity to recycle unavoidable food waste like fruit and vegetable peelings, meat bones, teabags and eggshells. The service also helps residents to see where they are throwing away excess or out of date food. Reducing this wastage can help to save money on food shopping and it will cut carbon emissions.”

Councillor Alan Oliver, Hart District Council Portfolio Holder for Development Management and Waste Services said: “We're pleased to be able to offer this new service to our residents, following successful delivery of caddies across the district. 

"Residents are keen to increase what they can recycle, but we know getting used to using these caddies will take time, with many of us preset to putting our tea bags and eggshells straight in the bin! 

For more information on food waste recycling in Basingstoke and Deane and links to check food waste collection days visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/food-waste  

For more information on food waste recycling Hart and links to check food waste collection days visit www.hart.gov.uk/food-waste-collections