 Warm weather, cool bins - your summer waste tips
As temperatures rise, here are some simple ways to help you, your bins and our collection crews cope with the heat:
Earlier collections
During particularly warm weather, like today, our waste and recycling crews begin their rounds earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day. Please help them by putting your bins out the night before, ensuring they are ready for collection by 5.30am.
Food waste
Food waste is collected each week, so make sure your food waste goes in your food waste bin to be collected quickly. To help reduce odours and deter pests, wrap food waste in sealed bags and keep the bin lid locked close with the handle upright.
More tips online
Check your collection day and find out what goes where on our rubbish and recycling page.
 We declared a climate emergency
It's felt rather tropical today, so talking about the "climate stripes" is particularly topical.
The stripes were created in 2018 by Professor Ed Hawkins (National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading).
Each stripe represents the average temperature for a single year from 1850 to 2024, relative to the average temperature over the period from 1961 to 2010.
Shades of blue indicate cooler-than-average years, while red shows years that were hotter than average. The stark band of deep red stripes on the right-hand side of the graphic shows the rapid heating of our planet in recent decades.
In July 2019, our councillors unanimously declared a climate emergency and developed a Climate Emergency Action Plan. This is our strategic document that outlines a collection of measures and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and work towards a carbon neutral borough.
Explore the Climate Emergency Hub
We have created our Climate Emergency Hub where we publish our regular Climate Emergency Action plan updates. We have guidance for residents, businesses and schools on how we all can play our part in tackling the climate emergency we face and how to reduce our carbon emissions.
 How many of our borough's parks have you visited?
Did you know Wokingham Borough is home to 29 nature parks?
From well-known favourites like Dinton Pastures and California Country Park to hidden gems like Pearmans Copse, Rooks Nest Wood and Keephatch Nature Reserve, there’s something for every explorer.
Most parks feature a mix of surfaced and natural paths, benches, bins and accessible facilities.
Many are dog-friendly, just remember to keep pups under control and follow on-site signage.
Plan your next outdoor adventure with our interactive map.
 'Most improved' on climate action
We've been highlighted as one of the country's 'most improved' councils in the latest annual Climate Emergency UK 2025 Council Climate Action Scorecards.
In the scorecard, we were the most improved single tier council, with a 2025 score of 51 per cent, compared with a 2023 score of 33 per cent.
In a year which has seen councils improve on average by six per cent, this is a great result and testament to our Climate Emergency Action Plan and the collaborative work with residents and businesses in the borough.
There's always more that can be done - and the report helps highlight areas of achievement, as well as areas of focus for councils.
Visit our Climate Emergency Hub and read our action plan to discover what we're doing and how you can play your part.
 £1.5m to make social housing homes more efficient
We've secured £750,000 from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to improve the energy efficiency of social housing.
This funding, awarded through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (Wave 3), will be matched by us, bringing the total investment to £1.5 million over the next three years.
The project will upgrade 100 social homes across the borough, improving their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings to Band C.
Works will include energy-saving measures such as wall and loft insulation, helping residents reduce energy bills and stay warmer in winter.
This initiative supports our commitment to sustainability and ensuring homes are more comfortable and affordable for residents.
 Hear what people are saying about Solar Together
Are you on the fence about signing up to Solar Together? This is the tried and tested group buying scheme which helps you make the switch to generating your own renewable electricity.
We shared a Facebook post recently and here is what a couple of local residents and previous participants said:
"This is a great scheme. Our energy bills have dropped considerably since getting solar and battery through solar together. Currently exporting more than were using. And that's with charging an electric car."
"So pleased we did this 18 months ago. 14 panels, 2 batteries and bird proofing netting. Even in the winter months we are generating some energy and from March to October it covers all plus in the summer we are exporting electricity that we get paid for."
Sign up by Friday 8 August
Find out more information and register using the link below for a quote with no obligation to continue.
 Next week: test drive electric vehicles at our event
Would you like to switch to an Electric Vehicle (EV) but are worried about costs or charging?
Join us next week (Friday 11 July) from 10am to 2pm at Winnersh Triangle Business Park.
Our event for local businesses, and residents, gives guests the chance to test drive EVs and hear from experts like the Energy Saving Trust and the University of Reading about all the opportunities for grants and tax benefits that EVs and chargepoints offer.
The event is organised in partnership with Let's Experience Electric, Winnersh Triangle Business Park and all six Berkshire local authorities.
 People, Planet, Pint comedy night
Looking to find out more about what's going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved? How about meeting local people to talk planet over a pint?!
People, Planet, Pint is a space where everyone can feel comfortable learning about sustainability and sharing their ideas.
The group meets locally at The Rose Inn, Market Place, Wokingham, on the first Thursday of the month (next meeting, Thursday 3 July).
Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their experience or background, it's free and you simply need to register.
As an exciting one-off you can also sign up to attend a free climate comedy night on Thursday 9 July.
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