People in Romsey are soon set to see food waste collections from their homes.

Test Valley Borough Council's cabinet recommended launching the service on October 13, 2025, aiming to start five months ahead of the government deadline of April 1, 2026, set by the Environment Act 2021.

The new weekly service will involve collecting food waste caddies from homes using specialist vehicles.

Residents in flats or homes with shared bins will receive communal food waste bins, and each household will be given a kitchen caddy for collecting food scraps.

After collection, the waste will be transported to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it will be broken down by microorganisms in a tank without oxygen.

This process produces methane-rich biogas, which can be used as fuel, and a nutrient-rich fertiliser as a byproduct.

New Burdens funding from the government will cover the ongoing service costs, but this will only be available from April 1, 2026.

Implementing the service earlier than the mandated date is expected to cost the council roughly £390,000.

Hence, the full council will make the final decision on whether to cover these costs on January 29, 2025.

The early introduction of this service is part of Test Valley Borough Council's effort to improve recycling in the area.

The Environment Act 2021 mandates all councils to have food waste collections in place by April 1, 2026.

The proposed early start date of October 13, 2025, is intended to give residents an early start on adapting to the new recycling measures.

The council hopes this will have a positive impact on recycling in the area, contributing to broader environmental goals.