Have your say on plans to switch West Berkshire’s bin collections to once every three weeks
As part of its plans to switch waste collections from fortnightly to once every three weeks, West Berkshire Council is planning some information sessions.
A consultation on the plans, aimed at boosting recycling rates while helping the council work towards being carbon negative by 2040, is currently taking place.
The council said the recycling rate has increased from 49% to 54%, but more than a fifth of waste put into black bins is food waste, while another fifth is recyclable.
Under the plans, it hopes to increase recycling rates to 60% of all waste collected, while reducing black bin waste to 120kg per person.
The consultation also includes reviewing the bins used by households and expanding the range of items that are recycled.
Environment and highways lead at West Berkshire Council Stuart Gourley (Lib Dem, Newbury Clay Hill) said: "We are really excited to get your views on our draft Waste Management Strategy.
“This plan sets out our strategy and vision for a more sustainable future in how we manage our waste and resources and how we continue to improve our recycling services up until 2032.”
Sessions have already been held in Thatcham, Newbury and Hungerford.
West Berkshire Council’s next sessions include Burghfield Library on Monday, October 14, from 2pm to 5pm.
On Friday, October 18, they will be at Theale Library (2pm-5pm), while between 10am and 11.30am on Friday, October 25, they will be at Lambourn Library.
On Monday, October 28, they will be in Mortimer Library (2pm-5pm).
The final session runs from 9.30am to noon on Thursday, October 31, and takes place in Pangbourne Library.
For those who want to make a submission to the consultation, they can visit West Berkshire Council’s website.
The consultation closes at midnight on Wednesday, November 6.
Paper copies of the documents are available on request, by calling 01635 519 080 or emailing recycle@westberks.gov.uk
It is also possible to get a copy from West Berkshire Council’s offices in Market Street.