NFDC is sticking to its advice that bins should be left outside on street as further images emerge of donkeys feasting on debris

THE New Forest’s new waste system has been defended by the district council which claims there is no evidence of a widespread issue with livestock breaking into bins.

As reported, several images of donkeys eating from food waste caddies and general waste bins have been shared online.

The latest image shows rubbish strewn across Addison Road with two donkeys eating debris from a general waste bin.

Commenting on the scene, one resident said: ”NFDC need to go out and survey the whole road on bin day morning to see for themselves what is happening.

“The donkeys started at the top of the road by the golf club and worked their way down. They knocked bins over, stamped on them and dragged them into the road. Stupid advice telling residents to put them outside of their property.”

Another wrote: “Wheelie bins are no match for donkeys!

“Horses and donkeys will just knock them over to get the contents out. To test this, just fill a wheelie bin with hay and put it in your horse field. They will knock it over within minutes and soon be feasting on the contents.

“So wheelie bins in open forest areas are always going to get knocked over and raided by the donkeys and ponies. I’m amazed there is so little knowledge of horse behaviour among those who decided wheelie bins were a good idea in the Forest.”

However, a spokesperson for NFDC said: ”We have had no reports from the public or our crews of incidents, and nothing has been reported directly to us. If the public do wish to report incidents they can get in touch.”

The spokesperson added: “We’ve spotted multiple social media posts from litter pickers, individuals and groups in the area who report much cleaner streets.”

Since the A&T inquiry on Tuesday, NFDC said it had received four “reports from residents” about donkeys accessing wheelie bins or food waste caddies.

Meanwhile NFDC’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, was challenged by fellow New Milton town councillor Madalaine Craze over the food caddies.

Cllr Craze responded to his report on the first phase of the new refuse and recycling collections at Monday’s full town council meeting.

“How do you get around the rural problems of cows and other animals knocking over the food caddies and eating the waste within?” she asked.

Cllr Blunden replied: “We are aware of a concern raised about donkeys potentially interfering with food waste caddies in parts of the New Forest.

“At this stage, we have had no data or reports from our crews to suggest that this is currently a widespread problem with the new food waste caddies

“However, our collection teams are monitoring the situation as they go about their rounds, and we will continue to keep a close eye on this over the coming weeks.”

Commenting that the caddies were “a bit on the frail side”, Cllr Craze asked if something “more robust” might be considered for more rural areas.

Again saying this would be looked into, Cllr Blunden maintained this type of caddy had been used previously in other rural areas including Dartmouth.

Stressing the caddies should be locked by placing the handles in the upright position, Cllr Blunden advised that residents shouldn’t place them out for collection any earlier than 6pm the evening before.

In his report on the scheme’s introduction, Cllr Blunden had said the benefits of this new way of working had already been seen.

“Just from driving around the district, you can see the immediate benefit on collection day, where we have seen a huge reduction in the amount of torn sacks and rubbish strewn across our streets,” he said.

“In the first seven days of the service, we collected 42 tonnes of food waste, which is now being diverted from incineration and being processed to generate cleaner electricity and fertiliser.”

Pointing out there would be a period of “bedding in” as with any major service change, he said the previous week saw only 1% of collections reported as missed by the public.

He continued: “We understand that change can be frustrating, particularly when it affects daily routines.

“But it is disingenuous to ignore the long-term benefits of a service that improves recycling, reduces waste, and modernises outdated practices.

“I want to thank residents for their patience during this transition and for working with us to reduce waste, improve recycling, and comply with government guidance.”