Hampshire County Council is considering new plans to expand food waste recycling.

For the first time, arrangements could be made to process food waste from households at two specialist facilities.

Councillor Kirsty North, the county council's cabinet member for universal services, will review these proposals on June 23.

The aim is for the food waste to be recycled through anaerobic digestion, a process that breaks down organic matter and produces renewable gas and organic fertiliser.

This method aligns with the Government's preferred approach for recycling food waste.

Estimates suggest between 30,000 and 50,000 tonnes of food waste will be collected each year from homes.

Cllr Kirsty North said: "Residents across Hampshire tell me they are keen to recycle more, so it’s vital we have the right infrastructure in place to support them.

"The planned expansion of household food waste collections by waste collection authorities across Hampshire is great news, with all areas due to have a scheme in place by April 2026."

The proposals are part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling guidance, which requires all waste collection authorities to implement kerbside food waste collections by April 2026.

Currently, food waste collections are operated by Eastleigh Borough Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, and Portsmouth City Council, with New Forest District Council implementing the service.

All other Hampshire authorities will introduce food waste collections by April 2026.

As waste disposal authorities, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, and Southampton City Council have a statutory duty to fund and provide appropriate facilities for recycling and disposing of household waste.

The proposals also highlight the environmental and cost benefits of reducing food waste.

It's estimated that around a quarter of the waste put in household bins is food that could have been eaten.

Residents can visit Hampshire County Council’s Smart Living and Kitchen Food Heroes webpages for tips and advice.

In April 2025, Hampshire County Council approved plans to build a new recycling facility in Eastleigh.

This facility, expected to be operational by the end of 2027, will enable residents to recycle a wider range of household materials.

However, it will not deal with food waste, which requires separate processing.