Over the past 12 months, households have successfully diverted items such as fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, meat, fish, and dairy products from general rubbish bins. The weekly service, launched in October 2025, has contributed to an 18% decrease in Test Valley’s household waste.
Specialist facilities process the collected food waste through anaerobic digestion. This method breaks down organic matter to produce biogas, which is used to generate renewable energy. The process also yields a nutrient-rich fertiliser, beneficial for agricultural land. This initiative transforms everyday leftovers into valuable resources.
“"We're incredibly proud of how residents have embraced food waste recycling over the past year. Collectively, they've recycled on average 345 tonnes of food waste each month that would otherwise have gone into rubbish bins. Every food waste caddy presented for collection helps us reduce waste, generate renewable energy and make better use of resources."
“"The success of the service shows that small actions can make a big difference. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken part and encourage anyone who isn't yet using their food waste caddy to give it a try."
Residents can recycle a wide range of items, including fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, dairy products, bread, rice, pasta, tea bags, and coffee grounds. Packaging should be removed before placing food waste into the caddy.
To maximise the service's benefits, residents are advised to keep their kitchen caddy in a convenient location, use compostable liners if desired, secure the kerbside caddy lid to deter pests, and put the caddy out for collection weekly, even if not full.
With Halloween approaching, the council reminds residents that pumpkins can be recycled via the food waste service after celebrations. Firm pumpkins should have decorations removed and can be cut up or left whole next to the caddy. Soft or mushy pumpkins should be placed directly into the caddy.
Further information on the food waste collection service, including accepted items, is available at www.testvalley.gov.uk/foodwaste.
