Glass collection could be coming to Bracknell, Wokingham and Reading.

The potential new addition to recycling services in the three areas was announced at a Reading Borough Council (RBC) meeting on Tuesday evening.

Just 12 per cent of local authorities in the UK do not collect glass, according to research by charity Waste & Resources Action Programme, known as WRAP.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Dorothy Hayes, executive member for Environment at Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) outlined the potential plans.

She said: “It is a priority for us to support residents to recycle as much as possible.

"Bracknell Forest residents are already very conscientious and effective glass recyclers and our bottle banks, which are available in more than 40 locations across the borough, are very well used.

"By collecting glass in these separate containers, we can recycle it into higher grade glass products bringing additional value to our recycling process.

“Many of our bring banks are located in supermarket carparks, recreation grounds and areas which are heavily used, so residents do not need to make a special trip.

"The majority of glass is being captured at our bottle bring banks and only a very minimal amount is being placed in household bins.

“In order to collect glass at the kerbside we would need to provide an additional container for mixed glass.

"This would also require the purchase of additional waste collection vehicles.

“Following the executive’s decision on Tuesday (28 January) to launch a food waste collection scheme in October, we are focusing on rolling out that new recycling service this year to significantly boost our recycling rate.

"This is the council’s priority and any feasibility work in relation to a glass collection scheme will only be undertaken once a food waste collection scheme is launched.”

In 2018-19, Bracknell Forest recycled or composted 19,384 tonnes of waste – 40 per cent of all its rubbish – according to the latest Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs figures.

Announcement at Reading meeting

Councillor Sophia James, Reading Borough's Council (RBC) lead member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, announced the potential new addition to recycling services at Full Council on January 28.

She said the council was investigating introducing the service with Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

Cllr James said: “Alongside our re3 partners at Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough Councils, I can confirm we are beginning the process of investigating the feasibility of a glass collection service.”

“The investigations will initially be reported to the re3 board, later in 2020, and thereafter considered within  each council.”

In 2018-19, Reading recycled or composted 19,534 tonnes of waste – 32 per cent of all its rubbish – according to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs figures.

Cllr James said RBC is committed to reaching a recycle rate of 50 per cent and has increased recycling rates by five per cent in the last year.

The Labour councillor was responding to Redlands ward Green Cllr Jamie Whitham, who asked at the RBC full council meeting if glass collection could be introduced.

Cllr Whitham said: “In my ward there is a lot of glass left in front gardens which looks unsightly and can end up going to landfill. Since glass is highly recyclable this is a huge pity.

“Would the council re-consider kerbside glass collection? If not borough-wide perhaps target collection in problem areas?”

Cllr James said the council has a network of glass recycling banks strategically located across Reading and is focused on introducing its new food waste service later this year.

But she added that the re3 partnership is “committed to exploring the collection of glass.”

Re3 is a waste management partnership between RBC, BFC and Wokingham Borough Council.