PLANS to introduce a new kerbside electronic waste collection service, similar to the food waste bins introduced in Basingstoke last year, are being explored.
A new kerbside collection service for small waste electrical and electronic items is included in the council’s draft recycling and waste strategy, but officers stress it is still at the exploratory stage and the details have yet to be worked through.
The council says the service is something it is exploring to bring in during spring 2027, but that it is too early to confirm when it would start or exactly how it would operate.
Logistics, such as how residents would put items out for collection and how any roll‑out would be phased, will be worked through before a final decision is taken, with further briefings promised closer to the time.
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Items that could be picked up under the scheme include kettles and small toasters, hairdryers and hand blenders, small toys, cables and phones, but the final list has not yet been agreed.
Under the current proposals, residents could leave small waste electrical and electronic items in a bag on top of their bin on collection day, rather than having to travel to a tip or recycling centre.
Cabinet member for residents' services and housing, Cllr Laura James, said: "We are working hard to deliver opportunities for residents to recycle more from home and at recycling sites while we wait for the county council to deliver a new sorting facility. In the meantime, we know over a third of what goes into our rubbish bins at home can currently be recycled and we will support residents to manage their waste differently."
The new service is one of 30 actions included in a draft recycling and waste strategy going before the council's cabinet on Tuesday, June 9. If approved, it would make it significantly easier for residents to dispose of small electrical items responsibly - reducing the number of devices going to landfill or being thrown into general waste bins, which can cause fires in bin lorries due to lithium batteries.
Also being introduced are new temporary plastic recycling banks at six council-owned sites across the borough, allowing residents to drop off plastic pots, tubs, trays and cartons that the current recycling system cannot handle. The banks will be located at Winklebury, Brighton Hill, Popley, Kingsclere, Basingstoke town centre and Overton.
The plastic banks are a stopgap measure while Hampshire County Council builds a new £50m Materials Recovery Facility in Eastleigh, due to open in spring 2028. Once operational, the new sorting facility will allow the borough council to collect plastic pots, tubs, trays, cartons and foil from the kerbside for the first time — meaning more items will be accepted in residents' green recycling bins.
Cllr James added: "We know we face a challenge, our recycling rates are low and the amount of waste produced in the borough is high, but with modernised services, clear information and the right support provided to our residents, we can and will improve."
The new services come alongside wider changes to bin collection frequencies planned for October this year, which will see grey rubbish bins move to fortnightly collections as the council bids to boost its recycling performance.
Cabinet is due to debate the strategy at its meeting on Tuesday, June 9.
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