 Your new bin collection calendar is here
Wokingham Borough’s updated rubbish and recycling calendar is now available. It includes collection dates for general waste, recycling, food waste and garden waste.
There are two weekly schedules and your collection week may have changed. Enter your postcode to check your schedule and download the correct calendar.
You can save it to your device, print it for your fridge or keep a screenshot handy to avoid missed collections.
 Green recycling bags agreed to be topped up
At last week's Executive Meeting (Thursday 16 October, agenda item 48) it was agreed to top-up the borough's stocks of green recycling bags.
You can collect new recycling bags from a number of collection hubs around the borough, including libraries, leisure centres and council offices.
Please check opening times and availability before visiting. Bags are free and available while stocks last.
 Last chance to explore better energy tariffs
Time is running out to join the Big Community Switch and see if you could access better energy tariffs. More than 2,000 Wokingham Borough residents have already registered.
The scheme offers competitive deals from trusted energy suppliers, including 100 per cent renewable options. There’s no obligation to switch, just the opportunity to check if you could save.
Registration closes on Friday 31 October, so act now to avoid missing out.
 Sonning riverside path before and after
A once muddy Thameside path near Sonning has been completely resurfaced, restoring access to a scenic riverside route that can now be enjoyed year-round.
The project was delivered by 20 volunteers from the Loddon Valley Ramblers, led by project manager Ray Sharp. Over two days in September, the team laid 60 tonnes of resurfacing material, improving over 1 kilometre of public footpath.
The work was funded by the Ramblers Path Improvement Fund, with access provided by the University of Reading across its farmland.
This upgraded path now forms part of a network of circular walks from Sonning village, offering safer and more accessible walking routes for residents and visitors.
With around 145 miles of public rights of way across the borough, volunteer-led projects like this play a vital role in helping maintaining and improving our walking routes.
 Don’t bin your pumpkin
Every Halloween millions of pumpkins are thrown away. But there are easy ways to reduce waste and make the most of your pumpkin.
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Choose small - smaller pumpkins are tastier and less watery.
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Decorate, don’t carve - use sweets, stickers (edible) paint on the the outside keeps the pumpkin fresh for eating later.
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Eat it - all parts (except the stalk) are edible. Try soups, curries or roasting the seeds. Steam or blanch and freeze for later use.
If you can’t eat it - compost it or recycle it with your food waste.
Chop it up and put it in your food caddy or, if it's too large, leave the whole pumpkin next to your black food waste bin on collection day. Our crews will take it away and turn it into energy and fertiliser.
 Borrow a thermal imaging camera for free
You can now borrow a thermal imaging camera from any local library to help identify heat loss in your home.
These compact devices attach to Apple or Android phones and work with a free app to highlight areas where insulation or draught-proofing could improve energy efficiency. Watch a video to see how it works.
- Free to borrow for residents
- Easy to use
- Reserve online or in person, just like a book
- Requires a Wokingham Borough library card
This is a simple way to start making your home warmer in winter and more energy efficient year-round. Read our recent Environment News special that featured some energy saving and insulation tips.
Find out more and reserve a camera.
 Join a drop-in advice session at your local library
Come to one of our Warm Homes drop-in sessions to speak to someone in person about:
- Saving energy in your home and DIY insulation tips
- Reducing your energy bills
- Finding out what support is available
- Thermal imaging camera loan scheme
No need to book, just drop in and say hello. The first one takes place tomorrow.
 Eco Skills Learning Centre wins BBC Berkshire award
The Eco Skills Learning Centre in Arborfield has won the BBC Berkshire Make a Difference Award in the Green category for 2025.
An offshoot of the Repair Café at Lambs Lane Primary School, the centre was praised by judge Jenny Gow for teaching children practical skills such as building bird boxes from reclaimed wood. The award was presented at Reading Town Hall and now sits proudly in a cabinet handcrafted by one of the centre’s volunteers.
The centre has grown into an independent environmental hub, still run by the same dedicated team behind the Repair Café.
The next Repair Café session is on Sunday 16 November, 10am to 1pm at Lambs Lane Primary School. Residents are invited to bring household items for repair, learn new skills and help reduce waste.
Repair Cafés also run in Earley, Woodley, Wokingham and Spencers Wood Village Hall.
 re3 Recycling nominated for five national awards
The re3 Recycling partnership has been shortlisted in five categories at the MRW National Recycling Awards 2025, recognising excellence across the UK waste and recycling sector.
The nominations include
- Recycling Facility of the Year
- Circular Economy Initiative; Reuse and Redistribution
- Social Value Award – Community Impact and Restoration
- Digital Innovation – App or Customer Service Development
- Partnership Excellence – Public/Private Sector
The re3 partnership brings together Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council, Wokingham Borough Council and FCC Environment. Its work focuses on improving recycling services, increasing reuse and delivering environmental and social value across the region.
Award winners will be announced later this year.
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