Local schoolchildren give new food waste fleet a fresh identity

Children from local schools have put their stamp on the city’s new food waste trucks, helping bring recycling and sustainability to life in a fun, memorable way.

The city’s new food waste collection trucks are set to hit the streets with a bit more personality, following a highly successful naming competition that captured the imagination of local schoolchildren.

After reviewing hundreds of inventive and spirited entries from across Southampton, the Lord Mayor officially selected the winning names today, concluding an initiative designed to engage younger residents with the importance of sustainability and waste reduction.

The competition saw children submit a wide array of suggestions, ranging from clever puns to thoughtful, eco-conscious titles. The winning names will soon be proudly displayed on the sides of the vehicles as they travel through our neighbourhoods, turning everyday service vehicles into local ambassadors for the environment.

The council is pleased to announce the winning entries and the talented young authors behind them:

• Chompy Wompy – named by Marley Jones from St. John's Primary School
• Binderella – named by Izzy Hutcher from Tanner's Brook Primary School
• Bin Appetit – named by Athena-Victoria Samson Cayabyab from Kanes Hill Primary School
• FRED – named by Esmae Lucas from Mansbridge Primary School
• Nomatron 3000 – named by Freddie Grove from Freemantle Academy
• Foody Trudy – named by Josephine Pearl Tennant from Swaythling Primary School

Speaking on the difficulty of the selection process, Councillor James Baillie, Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Southampton commented: "It has been an absolute delight to see such creativity, but the real success of this project goes beyond the naming.

Our waste collection teams have been out in schools speaking to children about the importance of food waste recycling, and it’s been brilliant to see those conversations turning into lifelong habits. By getting the children involved in the naming process, we are giving them a real sense of ownership over our city’s green future.

We are making the essential work of sustainability fun, accessible, and something the whole community can take pride in."

Kate Brosnan, Headteacher at Mansbridge Primary School added: “The competition created such a buzz in school. It was a brilliant way to get children thinking about food waste and recycling in a way that felt fun and meaningful.

Seeing their ideas brought to life on a real truck has given them a genuine sense of pride and excitement about looking after the environment.”

The initiative forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to improving food waste recycling rates and fostering a cleaner, greener city. The new names are expected to be applied to the fleet in the coming weeks, with the trucks back on the road on their usual collection routes thereafter.

Residents are encouraged to keep a lookout for the newly named trucks and are reminded that consistent food waste recycling remains a vital part of the city’s environmental programme.