 Collections return to normal days this week
Rubbish and recycling collections have now returned to normal after adjustments during the festive period.
Despite challenging conditions in cold and icy conditions, plus more than usual to collect due to the time of year, crews did an incredible job to collect everything.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience during these delays so crews could spend time with families on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
If you've still got your real Christmas tree, remember you can cut it up and put it in your garden waste bin for your next collection day.
We want to take all your trees but they need to be cut down and put into the bin, whole trees next to the bin won't be accepted. You can also take it to the recycling centre.
 Government-led reforms delay solar farm
Plans to build Barkham Solar Farm have been paused after changes to the Government’s timetable for connecting renewable energy projects to the national electricity network.
Construction had been due to start this spring, with the site connecting to the grid in stages from 2027.
However new national changes mean the full connection is now expected several years later.
This creates uncertainty about how much electricity the solar farm could export and the income it would generate, so it would not be responsible for us to enter a multi-million-pound contract and start construction at this time.
We’re challenging the changes and pressing for the original connection dates to be kept, raising concerns directly with the organisations involved and working with industry partners to show the wider impact.
This is a delay, not a decision to stop the project and we remain committed to Barkham Solar Farm as part of our plans to cut carbon emissions and support local services in the future.
 Staying warm helps you stay well - we can help
Our Warm Homes drop-in sessions are taking place around the borough later this month.
You can speak to our teams about:
- Saving energy at home and with simple DIY insulation ideas
- Cutting your energy bills
- Finding out what support is available
- Borrowing a thermal imaging camera
Drop in and say hello at one of our upcoming sessions:
Check out our Environment News Warm Homes special edition for more tips.
 Donate, don't bin, unwanted gifts
If you received duplicate presents or items that are not quite right, consider donating them or re-gifting them so someone else can enjoy them.
Charity shops across Wokingham Borough welcome unopened toiletries, homewares, books and good quality clothing. Keep original packaging where possible and include instruction leaflets for gadgets.
For larger items, the British Heart Foundation offers furniture and electrical collections in many areas.
Check each charity’s acceptance list and opening times before travelling. If a product is faulty, use the retailer’s returns process first, as repair or replacement may be possible.
Thoughtful donating keeps items in use and supports local causes. You can also use the Anglo Doorstep Collections service if you want to arrange a collection from your doorstep.
 Get reminders for bin day all year long
Good habits stick when the tools are easy to use. Keep the Scrapp app on your phone to check tricky items and scan barcodes for local guidance.
Consider setting recurring reminders for putting your bins out.
If you are short on storage, keep a simple sorting station indoors so recycling stays dry and tidy until collection.
Clear guidance and routine are the fastest way to prevent contamination and to recycle more through the year. You can also download a fresh collection calendar so you do not miss a day.
Thank you – and give us your feedback
Thank you for recycling well over the festive season. Your efforts reduce waste, keep costs down and support a cleaner borough.
We would love to know what tips helped most and where guidance could be clearer. If you have suggestions for next year’s campaign send us an email with your thoughts.
Resident feedback helps us improve services and target messages to where they make the biggest difference. If you know neighbours who would benefit from these updates, please share the newsletter sign up link so they can join too.
|
