Perfect bank holiday projects to save energy
The Easter bank holiday weekend is the ideal time to tackle smaller home‑improvement jobs that make a real difference to comfort and energy use.
At the top of the list is loft insulation. Most heat is lost through the roof, so checking your loft and topping up insulation is one of the quickest and most effective ways to reduce heat loss.
Even if you already have insulation, adding more to reach the recommended 270mm depth can improve performance and save money.
If you’re looking for other simple projects, draught proofing is a fast job that pays back immediately by stopping cold air creeping in.
Ventilating your home for a few minutes each day prevents condensation and mould, helping your heating work more efficiently.
If you have thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), adjusting them room‑by‑room means you only heat the spaces you use.
And swapping older bulbs for LED lighting can reduce electricity use without changing your routine.
Your local library can also loan you a thermal imaging camera so you can identify cold spots before you get started.
Find more home energy advice.
 Easter Bank Holiday bin collections
Collections will start earlier over the Easter Bank Holiday period from 3 to 6 April.
Our teams will be heading out from 5.30am on Good Friday 3 April and Easter Monday 6 April.
To avoid missing your collection, please put your waste and recycling out the night before or by 5.30am on the day.
Check your collection day and find more information on our website.
Please share this update in your street or neighbourhood WhatsApp groups and any local community chats. Making sure everyone knows about the earlier start helps our crews finish earlier for the day and keeps collections running smoothly.
 Free energy-saving home upgrades for residents
Residents in Wokingham Borough may now be able to get free energy saving improvements through the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
The scheme offers upgrades such as loft insulation, wall insulation, solar panels, air source heat pumps and new heating controls. These can help reduce heat loss, lower energy bills and keep your home comfortable throughout the year.
You may qualify if your total household income is £36,000 or less, if you receive a means tested benefit or if your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G.
Homeowners and private renters can apply. Landlords can also apply with full funding for their first property and partial funding for additional homes.
Homes with gas boilers are now included. All work is completed by accredited installers after a simple home survey.
Funding is available while the grant lasts, so we encourage residents to check their eligibility as soon as they can.
 Garden waste subscriptions for 2026-27 are now open
The new garden waste service year runs from Wednesday 1 April 2026 to Wednesday 31 March 2027.
You can renew your subscription or join the service if you are not already signed up.
Subscribers have been sent a renewal message. If you have already renewed, you do not need to do anything. If you did not receive your renewal email, you can still renew using the link below.
What is new this year? There are no stickers. Crews will check subscriptions electronically, making the service simpler for you.
What can you expect? Your brown bin holds up to 240 litres of garden waste and is collected every two weeks. It is an easy way to manage your grass cuttings, leaves and prunings without trips to the recycling centre.
If you do not wish to join the service, or if you need extra capacity at busy times, you can buy brown garden sacks.
The annual cost is £99 and covers you until Wednesday 31 March 2027, so you receive best value by signing up early.
We know the charge for this is increasing this year, but we are facing the loss of more than £43m in government funding during the next three years. This reduction, the most severe we’ve ever experienced, has put pressure on services and means we must carefully prioritise our limited funds and maximise efficiency.
The quickest way to join or renew is online.
If you have a question, please contact us.
 Changes to our newsletter schedule
We are changing how often we send this newsletter for the next few weeks.
The frequency of Environment News will reduce to every four weeks during the pre‑election period from 22 March to 2 May.
The next editions will be on 20 April and 18 May. After this, we will return to the usual fortnightly schedule.
During the pre‑election period, there are specific restrictions on council communications. We will return to our normal sending schedule in early May once the elections have taken place.
 Keephatch gains Local Nature Reserve status
Keephatch has now been designated as a Local Nature Reserve, recognising its value for wildlife education and the local community.
This success follows Natural England’s approval and reflects nearly twenty years of dedication from the Friends of Keephatch Local Nature Reserve group.
Their persistence ensured the application stayed on track despite earlier delays.
Residents played a key role. In October many joined a community pond clearance day, helping restore Willowherb Pond as a space for wildlife.
In February, pupils from Westende Primary School took part in a tree planting session and nature walk, strengthening community ties and improving habitats.
Keephatch’s ponds, woodland, grassland and historic features make it a valuable place for learning and nature.
We will continue working with the Friends group, schools and volunteers to enhance and protect the site in Wokingham.
 Winning names for waste and street cleansing fleet
Residents across Wokingham Borough have selected the winning names for our new waste and street cleansing vehicles, following more than 1,100 suggestions and 2,200 votes on a public shortlist.
These names will be proudly displayed on the new fleet when it begins service in June as part of our updated contract with Biffa.
Here are your winning names:
- Binderella (Gorse Ride School Year 3)
- Binnie the Pooh (Amelia and Annabelle, Hillside Primary)
- Trash Gordon (Jack, Loddon Primary)
- Obi Wan Binobi
- Recyclosaurus Rex
- Bindiana Jones
- Sweeping Beauty (street sweeper)
- Shaun the Sweep (street sweeper)
Thank you to everyone who took part. Your creativity has helped bring fun and community spirit to the launch of a cleaner, safer and more efficient fleet for the borough.
|
