Residents can have their say over how household waste and recycling is collected.

Researchers working on behalf of New Forest District Council (NFDC) will be knocking on doors to invite some householders to answer a survey until February 14.

Councillor Alison Hoare, NFDC’s portfolio holder for Environment and Regulatory Services, said: “I would like to ask residents who receive a visit from the survey teams to give a few minutes of their time to help us better understand people’s priorities for household waste and recycling in the district.

“We are looking in detail at how we collect residents’ waste and recycling and hearing people’s views is essential as we develop our new Waste Strategy.

“We want to know what they value about the current service and where they would like us to develop the service in future.

“Our aim is to reduce the impact on the environment so we are committed to helping residents to reduce their household waste and recycle as much as they can.”

In December 2018, the government released its new national strategy “Our Waste, Our Resources: A Strategy for England”.

These measures will be considered alongside the results of the residents’ survey and further research and analysis, to develop a new waste strategy for NFDC in the future.

Cllr Hoare added, “Once we have considered all the key factors, a draft Waste Strategy will be produced.

“If this document contains significant changes, there will be an approval process through Cabinet and a period of public consultation later in the year.”

The survey, of around 1,100 residents, is being carried out for the council by MEL Research.

The householders will be asked to answer a brief series of questions about the current service and their priorities for recycling and waste collection.

Residents who do not receive a visit are able to complete the survey online at newforest.gov.uk/wastesurvey