RESIDENTS in Reading are being encouraged to make a name for themselves by naming their new food waste collection trucks.
A fleet of six new food waste disposal vehicles is being introduced by Reading Borough Council, who is seeking the help of the public in finding a suitable name for the vehicles.
The dedicated food waste collection vehicles have been tackling the more than 2kg of waste generated per household per week since February 2021.
In that time, however, they’ve gone about their duty without names.
Now the council is giving them names, with five to be decided by the school children of Reading, and the last left open for all residents to decide upon.
Reading’s lead member for environmental services and community safety, Cllr Karen Rowland, said: “This is a fun way to reward those residents who have really taken to food waste recycling by letting them get creative to name the trucks they see on the street supporting their recycling efforts.
“By engaging with the scheme since it was introduced last year, residents have helped stop food waste going to landfill where it rots and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.
“Instead participants have so far helped to divert over 7,600 tonnes of food waste to be recycled, which is being turned into fertiliser for farming, and electricity to power homes.”
The vehicles now see a significant reduction in household waste, of which 41% was previously food waste.
It has since bumped Reading’s overall recycling rate up from 35% to over 50%.
As such, RBC has been able to scale back its landfill waste disposal, and ffod waste is now used to generate power or turned into fertiliser.
To take part in the naming competition, visit: www.reading.gov.uk
