Wheelie bins are set to be introduced in the New Forest next year in a bid to boost the area's recycling rate.
In a major update, the district council has confirmed that the new refuse collection system will be phased in across the Forest between spring and autumn 2025.
Towns and villages in the district are among the last communities in the country not to use wheelie bins.
The Forest's 180,000 residents are currently issued with single-use black and clear plastic sacks that are used for general waste and recyclables respectively.
The latest wheelie bin timeline was debated at a meeting of the council’s ruling cabinet.
Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: "We are moving forward with our plans to reduce household waste and improve recycling.
“From spring 2025, we are proposing to introduce new weekly food waste collections. And we will collect recycling one week, and general waste the next week, using wheeled bins.
“Food waste will be recycled using a process called anaerobic digestion, which creates electricity and fertiliser for farms.
READ MORE: Wheelie bins are set to be introduced in the New Forest in 2024
"This will make a significant impact in reducing the amount of general waste that’s thrown away across the district and contribute to the UK government’s recycling rate target of 65 per cent by 2035.
“Once a timeline for service change has been agreed, officers will begin further work to deliver the new service.
"This will include purchasing the necessary vehicles and containers, recruiting staff, and a full communication and engagement plan.
"I am confident these plans will support us to modernise our service and be more sustainable.
"As with any change on this scale, we need to be flexible, and our priority will be to support our residents as we all work together to reduce waste and increase recycling.”
READ MORE: New Forest residents deliver their verdict on plan to replace refuse sacks with wheelie bins
A council spokesperson said wheelie bins would be phased in across the Forest over several months.
“Depending on where residents live in the district, they will start to receive new waste and recycling services between spring and autumn 2025."
Further changes will result in the council collecting extra recyclable items such as plastics, foil, and cartons.
The spokesperson said: "Following the government’s latest update in late 2023, Hampshire County Council is working with local authorities to confirm how new materials will be collected and sorted.
"This work is due to be completed in April 2024 and means new sorting facilities will not be ready until 2026 at the earliest."
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