Recycling centre permits to go digital

A NEW online registration scheme has been launched for household waste recycling centres in West Berkshire.

Current paper permits will be replaced by this digital system, which came into effect on Tuesday.

The digital permit system will enable households to register and update their vehicle details, household addresses and contact details instantly.

This will, the council says, allow for “seamless” entry into household waste recycling centres, as long as residents have booked an appointment.

West Berkshire Council executive member for the environment Steve Ardagh-Walter (Con, Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham) said that the scheme would provide a “better service” for residents.

He added: “We understand how important our recycling centres are to the community and being accessible to residents. “We want to make the process of visiting the sites easier, to ensure everyone can recycle more and dispose of their waste properly.”

This new scheme will also allow the local authority to reduce its use of paper and ink.

It will mean the council will not need to print the more than 65,000 paper permits to replace those that have already expired, or will expire soon.

Mr Ardagh-Walter said: “Alongside the success of the booking system introduced in May 2020, I am pleased we can introduce a digital permit registration scheme to improve site visits and reduce our own impact on the environment by using less printed paper, whilst making it a better experience for our residents.”

Each household in the district can register up to three cars and will be asked to do so online before February 28 next year.

In order to do so, households must first set up a My Account profile on the district council’s website.

Once registered, permits will become live instantly, though applications for commercial vehicles will take up to 15 days.

Paper permits, including green car permits that have expired, will continue to be accepted until February 28.

Those who do not have access to the internet should ask friends or family to register on their behalf or use facilities available at their local library.

Alternatively, they can call the council’s customer service team on (01635) 519080.

Households will still need to book an appointment to use the Newtown Road or Padworth Lane recycling centres and can do so at www.westberks.gov.uk/clickandtip

More information on the scheme can be found at www. westberks.gov.uk/recyclingcentres