A RECYCLING and waste disposal partnership in Berkshire is marking a quarter of a century of collaboration.
The re3 Partnership sees collaboration between Reading, Bracknell, and Wokingham Borough Councils teaming up on waste management to improve recycling rates and move away from landfills.
This year marks its 25th since it was established in 1999, helping the councils to work together to improve the sustainability of their waste management, reduce their impact on the climate, and save money.
The partnership has also worked with the FCC Environment contractors since 2006, which manages recycling and waste facilities, including the re3 recycling centre in Reading, two Recycling Centres and Transfer Stations, and waste treatment services through energy recovery facilities, food waste recycling, and green waste composting.
Since its establishment, the partnership has seen the management of more than three million tonnes of waste, as well as the recycling of more than 400,000 tonnes of materials through kerbside collections.
It also oversaw the introduction of food waste recycling which has diverted more than 78,000 tonnes of waste away from landfills or incinerators.
The partnership has seen the reduction of council’s CO2e carbon emissions by 65% since 2016, as well as ongoing projects such as installing the England-first AI-robotic arm at the Material Recycling Facility, the plastic bags and wrapping kerbside recycling trial project, the re3grow Community Scheme, and the regular Reuse Pop-Up Shops.
Cllr Karen Rowland, chair of re3 Joint Waste Disposal Board, said: “I am proud and privileged to have been part of this journey– the accomplishments of the re3 Partnership over the past 25 years are a true reflection of what can be achieved when councils come together with a shared vision.
“Congratulations to all our partners and the dedicated staff at re3 for their commitment to tackling the climate emergency in everything they do.
“Here’s to the next 25 years.”
More information about the re3 Partnership is available via: re3.org.uk
