Shake-up of bin collections

MORE than 6,500 people have responded to a public consultation on rubbish and recycling collections in Wokingham borough.

The borough council says bin collections cannot continue as they are due to financial pressures, new government legislation and its own climate emergency aims.

It plans to replace the weekly collections of all waste with general rubbish and recycling collections on alternate weeks, or fortnightly recycling and three-weekly general rubbish collections. Food waste would continue to be collected weekly.

The council says the changes could save up to £1.8 million per year and increase the borough’s recycling rate by up to 20 per cent.

Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, said: “To carry on with weekly rubbish and recycling collections for next year would cost us an additional £500,000 if 10 per cent inflation continues. Where are we going to find that money? We are not going to cut services to adults and children’s social care to save weekly rubbish collections.”

The consultation runs until Monday, December 5. To respond, call 0118 974 6000 or visit https://engage.
wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/
projects/help-shape-your-future-waste-and-recycling-collections