Weekly collections now district-wide as council evaluates first year
Winchester’s weekly food waste collection, rolled out to all households from October 2025, is now approaching its first anniversary. The scheme is collecting around 60 tonnes of food waste every week and has prompted a mixed response from residents, who praise the environmental benefits but note practical problems such as smells, flies and missing equipment.
Households were supplied with a small indoor kitchen caddy, a larger 23-litre outdoor food waste bin with a locking handle, and an initial allocation of compostable liners. Collections run weekly on the same day as a household’s normal rubbish or recycling service. Councillors and the contractor, Biffa, have pointed to the tonnage figure as an early indicator of behaviour change, while some residents say the scheme has altered how they plan meals and dispose of leftovers.
Public reaction: convenience, behaviour change and practical problems
Responses from residents interviewed around the city reflect a balance between enthusiasm and irritation. Many say the service has made them more conscious of waste; others report issues with odour and increased numbers of flies, particularly in warm weather.
- Material accepted: almost all raw and cooked food including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, bread, eggshells, dairy, rice, pasta, tea bags and coffee grounds.
- Equipment provided: 5-litre kitchen caddy; 23-litre outdoor bin with locking handle; compostable liners supplied initially.
- Collection frequency: weekly, aligned with households’ refuse or recycling collection day.
Young residents described differing experiences. One 18-year-old from Bar End Road said she sometimes forgot to use the indoor caddy but found herself reaching for it more when cooking; she also noted the caddy could smell before collection. Another 18-year-old from Stanmore reported the caddy attracted "way more flies" and said he was uncertain whether to keep it indoors or outdoors. A family in Abbots Barton said the scheme had been an "obvious win" for them, helping them divert substantial food waste away from general rubbish and into the recycling stream.
"The scheme made people much more aware of how much food you are wasting,"
— a Winchester resident reflecting a common sentiment among those who have adapted routines since the rollout.
Operational points and council considerations
Operationally, the scheme’s weekly collections and supplied containers are intended to simplify participation and reduce contamination of other waste streams. The council and contractor will need to continue addressing logistical concerns raised by residents, such as replacement of missing or damaged caddies and handling complaints about odour and insects.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weekly collection tonnage | ~60 tonnes |
| Kitchen caddy size | 5 litres |
| Outdoor bin size | 23 litres (with locking handle) |
Residents who have not yet received their caddy or outdoor container report waiting and enquiring with the council. The initial supply of compostable liners was distributed with the rollout; ongoing provision and availability remain points of interest for households that use the service frequently.
What this means for Winchester
For Winchester, the scheme represents a practical step in reducing landfill and improving recycling rates across the district. Early figures show significant volumes of food being diverted from general waste, but the council will need to balance environmental gains with residents’ everyday concerns. Continued public information — on how to reduce smells, manage liners and position caddies — combined with responsive operational support for replacements and pest control advice, will be critical if the scheme is to maintain public support.
As the contractor and council review the first year, the experiences of households in areas such as Abbots Barton, Bar End and Stanmore will shape any adjustments. The evidence of changed behaviour, particularly among families with young children and households that now routinely separate food waste, suggests the service is altering habits — even as practical teething problems remain to be ironed out.
