 Waste collections continue as normal
As we head into lockdown later this week we’d like to reassure residents all kerbside collections are planning to continue uninterrupted.
Weekly general, recycling and food waste collections will go ahead with our contractor continuing on its usual routes. Check your collection day on our website.
Fortnightly garden waste collections are also unaffected.
 Update on recycling centres
As of the release of this newsletter, the household waste recycling centres at Smallmead and Longshot Lane are expecting to remain open during the lockdown period.
The click and tip booking system will continue to operate for anyone making a visit, with places available on a rolling seven days in advance basis and released throughout the day. This system will be updated next week to allow for bookings to become more flexible.
Residents should only visit if they can no longer store their waste at home. If you do visit, strict rules will be in place to maintain distancing.
If Government updates us to say the centres must close, an update will be provided by re3, so please keep checking re3 on social media or on the re3 website.
 Recycling bags: Easier for the elderly
As we get closer to the rollout of our new waterproof recycling bags, each week we’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions on them in this newsletter. This week:
Q: Will elderly residents be able to use the bags conveniently if they are weighted?
A: The weight of the rubber pad, which is added for this purpose, is only 350g. Together with the weight of the bag these are slightly less than the existing recycling boxes. The weight of an empty recycling box is approximately 1400g. These bags are much easier to handle as there is less bending as compared to the current box.
As we are able to provide updates on the rollout to residents, this newsletter will be the best place for the latest information, so keep your eyes peeled and let your neighbours know to sign up.
 Food waste webinar
Our partners re3 are holding a food waste recycling webinar as part of the online Reading Climate Festival at 1.30pm on Wednesday (11 November) next week.
It's being run in partnership with Severn Trent Green Power with access via zoom.
We launched our food waste recycling service in April last year and its popularity continues to grow with more than 500 tonnes of food waste now being recycled each month.
In the webinar you’ll find out about what happens after your food waste is collected and the process it goes through to be recycled.
 Turn your pumpkin into power
Any residents who have a carved pumpkin leftover from Halloween this weekend can recycle it as part of our food waste service.
Chop it up and place it in your large caddy or you can leave it next to your caddy and our waste teams will take it away on your collection day.
Your food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion processing facility which captures the methane and turns it into energy. The process also produces a fertiliser which can be used in farming.
If you've got a trip planned to one of recycling centres at Smallmead or Longshot Lane, they can also be placed into the designated pumpkin bins there until 10 November.
|
