PLANS to transform rubbish and recycling collection services in the New Forest have been recommended for approval.

On July 6, New Forest District Council’s cabinet recommended that proposed changes to their recycling and rubbish service, and plans to reduce waste in the district, are approved at a full council meeting on July 11.

To plan for a new service, changes are not expected to take place until 2024 onwards.

Cllr Edward Heron, council leader, said: “It’s not a question of if we should change, we must now change by reducing our impact on the environment, managing waste in a more sustainable way and improving our frontline service. We will do this by firstly helping our residents to reduce and reuse more materials, and secondly, by recycling more materials at the kerbside.”

Cllr Steve Davies, portfolio holder for environment, added: “Our recycling rates are significantly below the national average, at 34 per cent. The current national target for 2025 is 55 per cent.

“We have listened to the feedback we have had from residents, and we know there may be some circumstances where we will need to vary our new service. We will work with residents between now and the start of the new collection service in 2024.”

Residents can read the new waste strategy at newforest.gov.uk/wastestrategy or request a print version by contacting the council’s customer services.