Wokingham

Residents of the Wokingham district are being encouraged to make a green start to 2006 as the district council encourages people to take advantage of its green waste scheme.

People are being reminded to recycle their Christmas trees either by taking them to one of four collection points in the Wokingham district on January 28 or, if they are part of the district’s green waste collection scheme, by leaving their trees alongside their normal green waste collection bags.

For those Wokingham residents in areas which aren’t included in the current green waste schemes, Christmas trees and other green waste can be dropped off at the following collection points between 8am and 11am on Saturday January 28:

*Wyevale Garden Centre, A4 Bath Road, Wargrave

*Cantley Park, Wokingham

*Coronation Hall, Headley Road, Woodley

*Swallowfield Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street, Swallowfield

Christmas trees should have all decorations removed and should not be dropped off in advance. Artificial or trade/commercial trees cannot be accepted. Trees can also be taken to the tips at Longshot Lane, Bracknell or Smallmead, Reading, which are open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm.

Executive member for environment services Wokingham Cllr Rob Stanton said: “I really hope that residents will make use of both the green waste service and the special drop-off points for their Christmas trees and other garden waste. Every tree recycled helps us on our way towards tough government targets and I hope residents will support us in our efforts to recycle and compost more than ever before.

“And, if you’re in one of our pilot areas and haven’t used the green waste service before, why not make it a resolution for 2006 to recycle your garden waste?”

In its trial area, the green waste scheme allows residents to put their garden waste out for collection in a reusable bag. This garden waste is then collected every fortnight, on the same day as normal household rubbish and on the alternate week to their black box recycling collection.

Wokingham District Council recycled and composted nearly 27% of the district’s household waste in 2004/5, which, against comparable authorities, is a strong position. However, the council now has to reach a target of 30% by the end of March 2006.

The scheme is operating in parts of Arborfield, Barkham, Finchampstead, Earley, Twyford, Winnersh, Wokingham, Wokingham Without and Woodley and replaces the current garden waste service in those areas.

Those Wokingham households not taking part in the trial scheme can still have one bag of garden waste per property collected free of charge each week. Alternatively, residents not taking part in the trial can purchase blue garden waste sacks from the council at a cost of £1 each. The council also encourages people to home compost – more details are available by calling 0845 130 6090.

The Wokingham council’s waste team is happy to answer any queries on the green waste scheme and can be contacted on (0118) 974 6307.

Wokingham District Council,