Thousands of Hampshire residents may need an extra recycling bin as changes loom over cardboard and paper

Thousands of Hampshire households could need an extra recycling bin after a major shake-up of collections was approved.

The new system will require paper and cardboard to be kept separate from other household recycling.

Hampshire County Council (HCC) approved the approach on Monday, November 2, despite concerns from five district and borough councils about the cost and impact.

A council report said Havant, Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor and the New Forest had previously indicated they did not intend to introduce HCC’s preferred system.

Havant Borough Council (HBC) said its assessment found separating paper and cardboard was not technically, environmentally or economically practical.

It said: “This would require residents in Havant to have another recycling bin and for additional collections to take place, which would have a cost implication for the council.”

HBC said it would continue with its current arrangements until formally directed by HCC and extra costs agreed.

Fareham, Gosport, and Winchester councils did not have any objections logged in council papers.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hart District Council also raised financial and practical concerns.

They said a new lidded bin was likely to be needed, while some communal bin stores may not have enough space for another container.

In a joint statement, the councils said: “We need to be satisfied that this does not result in additional costs being passed on to us and our residents.”

They have asked HCC for assurances that additional costs will be fully reimbursed.

Councils must be ready to move to the new system from May 2028, although individual timetables have not been decided.

New Forest District Council said: “Any changes will take time to plan and deliver and are not currently expected before 2028, when HCC’s new recycling sorting facility is expected to open.”

HCC says its preferred system would be cheaper overall. Its report estimates that not adopting the system could cost Hampshire’s waste authorities around £70m more over ten years, based on 2025 cost estimates.

The changes are linked to a new £50.5m recycling centre at Chickenhall Lane in Eastleigh, funded by HCC, Portsmouth and Southampton councils.

HCC estimates its preferred system would cost about £3m more initially but almost £7m less each year to run.

HCC has warned that the new facility could be underused if authorities do not move to the new system.

Rushmoor Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.