Residents across Basingstoke and Deane could soon see their grey rubbish bins emptied just once every two weeks under major changes being proposed by the borough council.
The move, expected to be introduced this autumn, forms part of a wider strategy aimed at dramatically increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent for disposal. If approved, household rubbish bins would be collected on alternate weeks, while food waste caddies would continue to be emptied weekly. Green recycling bins and glass boxes would also be collected every fortnight.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is currently the only waste collection authority in Hampshire still operating weekly rubbish collections and one of only 16 councils across the UK to do so.
Council leaders say the change is necessary if the borough is to meet ambitious government targets that require recycling rates to more than double from 30 per cent to 65 per cent by 2035, while cutting the amount of household waste generated by half by 2042.
A draft Recycling and Waste Strategy, containing 30 actions designed to transform waste services across the borough, will be discussed by Cabinet members next week.
The council argues that weekly rubbish collections are no longer sustainable if it is to reduce waste and encourage more recycling. Officials point out that more than a third of the contents of many grey bins could already be recycled through existing services.
The introduction of weekly food waste collections last October is seen as a key part of the transition. Food waste accounts for around 30 per cent of household rubbish and is now collected separately and converted into renewable energy and fertiliser.
The council is also looking to expand recycling opportunities. Temporary recycling banks for plastic pots, tubs, trays and cartons are being introduced at six council-owned recycling sites while Hampshire County Council develops a new sorting facility due to open in 2028.
A new kerbside collection service for small electrical items, including kettles, hairdryers, cables, phones and small toys, could also be introduced as early as next spring.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing, Councillor Laura James, said the borough faces significant challenges in improving its recycling performance.
“The way we deal with waste across the country is changing and we must prepare for how we will meet challenging national targets set by the government,” she said.
“Putting it simply, we need to double the amount we recycle and cut by half the amount we throw away and this cannot be achieved by doing nothing and staying as we are.”
She added that the council would provide residents with the support and information needed to adapt to the new arrangements.
If approved, the changes would bring Basingstoke and Deane into line with neighbouring authorities. Hart District Council has operated fortnightly rubbish collections since 2006, while Rushmoor Borough Council introduced the system in 2021.
The council’s Cabinet will consider the proposals at its meeting on Tuesday, 9 June.
