Changes to recycling and rubbish collections from 2025 to 2026

We will be introducing a new waste collection service for the New Forest, so together we can recycle more and throw less away.

The new service will be rolled out in phases for different areas of the district, from summer 2025 to spring 2026.

On this page:

How your new waste collection service will work

Food waste

You will be able to recycle your food waste every week.

Most properties will have a 23 litre lockable caddy for collections, and a smaller 5 litre caddy to use in the kitchen.

If you live in a flat, you may use a communal bin for food waste collections.

Recycling and rubbish

We will collect your recycling one week, and rubbish the next week.

Most properties will have a 240 litre wheelie bin for recycling, and a 180 litre wheelie bin for rubbish.

If you live in a flat, you may use communal bins for recycling and rubbish collections.

Glass

Glass collections will still be every four weeks, using the same container you use now.

Wheelie bins and food waste caddies

View information about wheelie bins and food waste caddies, including dimensions and what they will look like. We will update our website with more information, as we progress with arrangements for the new service.

When the new service will start

The new service will be rolled out in phases for different areas of the district. Currently, this is due from summer 2025 to spring 2026.

We are developing collections rounds, to understand when each property in the district will join the new service.

Before the new service is due to be rolled out, we will update this web page and confirm which areas of the district will fall within the three phases.

When we will send you more information

We will write to you before the changes are due in your area. This will include:

how the service will work for you
how we can support you
when bins and caddies will be delivered
changes to collection dates
when you will start to use the new service

Support for residents

Help putting bins and caddies out

We will continue to provide our assisted collection service, for households who need help putting bins and caddies out for collections. You can apply for the service if you have a disability, illness, or injury. The service is for residents who do not have anyone else in the household to help put out waste.

Households who need more or less space for their waste

Households will be able to apply for a larger or smaller bin.

Before we roll out the new service, we will confirm how you can apply for a different sized bin, and any criteria which will need to be met.

Households not using wheelie bins

We are reviewing data from visual property and street assessments across the district, to confirm properties that will use communal bins, and as an exception, sacks instead of wheelie bins.

This information for you will be confirmed and available before the new service is due to start in your area.

New collection policy

For a new collection service, a new collection policy will be put in place. This will define how waste collections will work for all households.

The collection policy will be updated before the new service starts.

When you can recycle more items

When the new service starts in your area, you will be able to recycle food waste. Food waste will be sent to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it's turned into renewable energy and an agricultural fertiliser.

Everything that can be recycled now will go in your recycling wheelie bin, or communal recycling bin. This includes plastic bottles, aerosols, paper, cardboard, tins, and cans.

In the future, we are planning to recycle more items like extra plastics, foil, and cartons. We will review when and how we can do this once more is known about plans for improved recycling facilities in Hampshire. Recycling facilities in Hampshire are managed by Hampshire County Council.

Why we are changing the service

All your efforts to recycle make a big difference, thank you. We are updating the service so we can work together to recycle even more, reduce what's thrown away, and tackle climate change.

Updating our service will mean we can:

recycle food waste
reduce household waste, our current service of sacks does not restrict the amount of rubbish a household can put out
offer the safest working conditions for our waste crews
comply with government direction
reduce litter from split plastic sacks, which can cause harm to wildlife

How our plan has developed

Our plan for a new waste collection service has been in development for several years. It has been informed by government consultations, research, and engagement.

Our Waste Strategy 2022 to 2027 was approved in summer 2022. The strategy details how we will improve recycling and reduce waste over the next few years. It also includes the initial plan for a new waste collection service.

View information about the Waste Strategy 2022 to 2027.

What will happen next

We are busy working on all the arrangements needed to improve the service. As we progress with this, we will publicise more details.

Before we introduce the new service in your area, we will write to you with lots more information.

In the meantime, find out more about Household recycling now in the district, and Home composting.

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like to share your views, please contact our waste strategy team at wastestrategy@nfdc.gov.uk.

You can also call 02380 285393 or visit one of our Information offices.