READING is getting better at recycling according to new statistics released last week.
The borough council says that more than half of the town’s waste is no longer heading to landfill, an increase from its 2019 figure of 34%.
And the amount of food waste in the grey bins has dropped from 41% to 23%.
The news came as the council started work on expanding its food waste collection service.
Last summer, it commenced pick-ups from 950 flats, across 42 blocks.
By the time the roll-out is completed, 14,500 high- and low-rise flats will be taking part in the scheme. It is being implemented on a block-by-block basis.
Reading Borough Council says that since the food waste scheme launched in October 2019, it continues to grow in popularity, with an average collection per household of 2.5kg per week – the target was 1.4kg.
This is estimated to save 4,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, and £500,000 in savings through a revised collection schedule and reduction of residual waste treatment costs.
Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services and community safety, said: “The people of Reading have done a great job of embracing food waste recycling and helping us get the recycling rate up over 50% which is a laudable achievement.
“However, we will continue to increase that number as we bring food recycling to thousands more people who live in flats this year, where we know many residents are eager to get on board and do their bit.
“Working through the unique challenges of blocks of flats on an individual basis helps officers to tailor an approach and methods for collection that best fits each site and its residents.
“Officers look to speak with and engage with residents and management agents to provide guidance on using the new service as well as answering queries on its implementation and how it fits with the existing kerbside recycling scheme.”
She said she was excited at potential ways to increase Reading’s recycling rate.
“If you’d like to be even more engaged with helping Reading achieve greater heights with our recycling numbers, do access our recycling information on our website and the
re3cyclopedia app to see how else you can maximise what you recycle,” she said.
Suggestions include using glass banks with lids and caps left on, and donating old clothes to charity shops or textile banks.
Small electricals such as toasters, kettles and hairdryers, can be left in a bag next to the red wheelie bin on recycling collection day.
Batteries and vapes should not go in recycling or general waste as they could ignite. Instead, they should be left in a carrier bag on top of the recycling bin on recycling collection day.
Soft plastics such as crisp packets, fruit and veg bags and carrier bags can be disposed of at many supermarkets.
