Bracknell

The amount of rubbish being recycled in Bracknell Forest has increased to 31 per cent this year as residents prepared for the introduction of Alternate Bin Collection.

Last year, Bracknell residents recycled 27 per cent of their waste, but are now using their new blue and brown wheelie bins and kerbside boxes to reduce the amount of waste being sent to harmful landfill sites. More than 41,000 new recycling containers have been ordered since April.

From today (October 2), Bracknell Forest residents will have their recycling and garden waste collections one week, while the following week landfill waste will be collected from the green wheelie bin.

The Council has introduced the new collections for both environmental and financial reasons. If we continue as we are today, the increased costs in additional Government charges and fines could be as high as £7.7million to Bracknell Forest tax payers over the next five years and even more in future years.

Information leaflets have been delivered to every home in the borough to explain which containers should be left at the kerbside on your usual collection day.

Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: "I would like to thank residents for all their hard work already. It will protect our environment for years to come, and we will continue to help our residents to recycle even more with the new scheme in the future."

Vincent Paliczka, Director of Environment and Leisure, said: "Dramatically reducing the waste we send to landfill sites will benefit everybody in Bracknell Forest, both environmentally and financially, for future years."

Households who need extra support to make ABC work for them can still request a home visit from a recycling officer, or attend an ABC roadshow to have their questions answered. Roadshows are being held on the following dates:

4th October: 3:00-5:00pm: Owlsmoor shops, Victoria Road

6th October: 3:00-5:00pm: Bullbrook Shops

10th October: 3:00-5:00pm: Coffee Spot, York Town Road

12th October: 3:00-5:00pm: Forest Park shops

To order the new blue or brown wheelie bins or kerbside boxes, or to request a home visit, please call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council