Bin collection schedule changes during festive period
To give Wokingham crews a well-deserved break, the regular waste collection dates will be adjusted temporarily over the Christmas and New Year period.
All rubbish and recycling collections, including garden waste, from 25 December 2023 to 12 January 2024 will change to a revised schedule:
- There will be no collections on Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January).
- Crews will work on Saturdays during this period (30 December, 6 January and 13 January).
- Garden waste collections will follow the same schedule.
- Normal collections will resume from Monday 15 January.
Check the revised collection schedule to find when your waste will be collected.
Recycling Centres
Re3 recycling centres at Longshot Lane, Bracknell, and Smallmead, Reading, will be open for most of the Christmas period, with the only changes being closure on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, as well as shutting early at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
Reduce waste this Christmas
Look out for top tips from Wokingham News bulletins on how to reduce waste, reuse and recycle more in this festive season, from preparation all the way to the end of our celebrations. Here are some useful ones to think about.
Christmas crackers
Christmas crackers are loved by everyone. However, many contain glitter and plastic, making them difficult to recycle.
There are many recyclable Christmas crackers and DIY cracker kits on the market. For example, the crackers being sold on the Royal Society for The Protection of Birds (RSPB) website are full recyclable. They are plastic, foil and glitter free, and so is their packaging.
You can also be creative and make your own crackers at home using toilet roll tubes, used ribbons and wrapping paper. Do a quick search online and you will find loads of tutorials on homemade crackers.
Christmas cards
Similarly, avoid buying Christmas cards with glitter, sequins, glue or plastic decorations on them. If you want to recycle them after Christmas, remove these extras before putting them out.
You may consider sending an e-card instead. If you do want to go for a physical one, why not pick those completely recyclable from charities like British Heart Foundation and Macmillian Cancer Support.
Gifts
Christmas is a season of giving, and that means we may need lots of wrapping paper. Here are a few tips to help keep your gifts green:
- Avoid wrapping paper or gift bags that contain plastic film or metallic elements, such as those embellished with shiny foil or glitter.
- Cardboard tubes in the centre of a roll of gift wrap can be recycled too.
- Decorate your presents with reusable or natural decorations, such as reusable string, ribbon or a sprig of holly or mistletoe, instead of shiny metallic-style bows.
