New Forest District Council (NFDC) confirmed the arrangement applies to homes where free-roaming livestock could access the usual collection point.

This means residents who received a letter in autumn 2025 asking them to present their outdoor food waste recycling caddy behind their property gate or fence should continue to do so.

New Forest District Council is rolling out its food waste collections. (Image: New Forest District Council)

The decision was made during a council meeting on Monday, December 15.

Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: “We’ve seen excellent progress since introducing weekly food waste collections, with recycling rates improving and strong participation from residents.

“Continuing to collect food waste caddies from behind identified property gates in areas where livestock roam is an important part of making the new service work for all our communities.

“I’d like to thank our partners for helping shape this approach, and we’ll keep working together to review wider collection methods where needed.”

NFDC also announced the start date for the third and final phase of its new waste and recycling service, which covers Hythe, Fawley, Lyndhurst, Marchwood, Totton and surrounding locations.

Due to bin manufacturing schedules and final planning, households in phase three will begin receiving their bins in March 2026, with collections under the new system set to begin in early May.

Cllr Blunden said: “At the same time, we’re moving forward with the final and largest phase of the district-wide rollout.

“With certainty around bin manufacturing timelines, we can now plan confidently for deliveries of bins and caddies in March, and the new service starting in early May.

“Completing this stage will bring every household on to the modernised service, supporting higher recycling rates, cleaner streets, and better working conditions for our crews.”

A letter will be sent to residents in early 2026 confirming their specific bin delivery dates and which containers to use.

More details about the new waste and recycling collection service are available at newforest.gov.uk/RecyclingAndRubbish.