Call for doorstep glass recycling scheme

OPPOSITION councillors are pushing for doorstep glass collections to be launched across Reading, in a bid to make it easier for residents to recycle.

Currently, glass has to be taken to bottle banks or to the re3 recycling centres in Smallmead or Bracknell.

Both Conservative and Green councillors made the call during a meeting of the council on Tuesday last week, after we had gone to press.

Cllr Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) made the call, but Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward (Labour, Caversham) – the lead member for neighbourhoods and communities – doorstep pick-ups could only be undertaken once the council knows it could be funded.

Changes to the funding of waste and recycling services were made in the Environment Act 2021, but the exact nature of the changes have not been finalised and the council is waiting for more guidance.

“We are unable to do any detailed work on the introduction of a kerbside glass collection service until the Government release the secondary legislation details for the Environment Act 2021,” Cllr BarnettWard said. “It is impossible to project even an approximate cost of delivering a glass collection service until the Government release the detail that will be contained in that secondary legislation.

“If Cllr Singh has got any influence over his national party and could maybe hurry them up that would be fantastic.”

Cllr Barnett- Ward said the council is working with waste company re3, and partners Wokingham Borough Council and Bracknell Forest Council to prepare for the possibility of kerbside glass collections.

Cllr Singh also raised concerns about flytipping at bottle banks, including an incident on Erleigh Road last August.

CCTV cameras are being used to monitor flytipping incidents, with three sets in Howard Street, Kensington Road and Amity Road.

Cllr Barnett- Ward said: “If Cllr Singh has got a location that he would like considered for CCTV cameras I would welcome that suggestion.”

Residents are encouraged to report flytipping on the Love Clean Reading app: https://loveclean.reading.gov.uk/reports

The issue of kerbside glass recyling was also raised at the full council meeting on February 23 by cllr Rob White (Green, Park).