Better Recycling Coming

Better Recycling Coming to Winchester

Winchester City Council is rolling out a new food waste recycling service starting this autumn, with phased collection across the district from October 2025 through to spring 2026. 

This exciting development will allow residents to recycle unwanted food items, such as plate scrapings, fruit and vegetable peelings, bones, tea bags, and coffee grounds on a weekly basis. The collected food waste will be converted into green energy through Anaerobic Digestion, helping reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 1,900 tonnes annually.

To support the new service, households will receive kerbside food waste bins and kitchen caddies along with clear instructions shortly before collections begin in their area.

Achieving Climate Goals

The council is celebrating significant progress on cutting carbon emissions. Since the Liberal Democrats took control in 2019 and declared a climate emergency, direct carbon emissions at the City Council are forecast to drop by an astonishing 96% compared to 2018. This progress has come through measures like moving to low carbon and electric vehicles, insulating council homes, and installing solar panels on council buildings.

How Food Waste Recycling Works

Currently, food waste makes up about 30% of household black bin waste, much of which goes to incineration. Recycling food waste will not only reduce landfill and incineration but will help produce renewable electricity and nutrient-rich fertiliser for local farms. The anaerobic digestion process turns food waste into biogas, which feeds the national grid, powering millions of homes.

Residents will receive a starter pack including a small kitchen caddy, compostable liners, and a 23-litre outdoor bin (or access to communal bins where applicable). Weekly collections will align with regular waste and recycling days, making participation straightforward.