re3 Waste Management Strategy 2026-2031
The re3 Partnership - Bracknell Forest, Reading, and Wokingham Borough Councils - is developing a new waste strategy to guide waste disposal services from 2026 to 2031. This strategy will aim to reduce waste, improve recycling, and deliver services that are environmentally sustainable, cost-effective, and responsive to residents’ needs. It will also investigate ways to enhance recycling centres’ efficiency and upgrade facilities to handle new materials like flexible plastics.
We want your views to help shape how we:
- Prevent and reduce waste
- Reuse valuable resources
- Recycle more effectively
- Manage our waste facilities and services
Why this strategy matters
Managing waste across the re3 area costs around £32 million per year, with an average cost of £150 per household. At the same time, up to 55% of household waste collected at the kerbside and 86% of waste brought to re3 Recycling Centres could be recycled using existing services. Improving how we manage waste can help protect the environment and save money for other vital local services.
Key objectives
- Recycle 65% of municipal waste by 2035.
- Eliminate biodegradable waste to landfill by 2028.
- Maintain 70% recycling/reuse rate at re3 Recycling Centres.
- Support net zero ambitions and low-carbon technologies.
Your feedback will help us shape services that work for you and your community. The consultation questions are grouped and designed to gather your views on how we can improve waste and recycling across the re3 area.
The consultation closes on 14 December 2025.
Please contact re3info@reading.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Phases
Give us your views
The strategy is going to be built around three key themes:
1. Waste Prevention, Recycling & Circular Economy
We aim to help residents waste less and recycle more. This includes:
· Supporting reuse and repair through donation schemes and pop-up shops
· Improving recycling quality and reducing contamination
· Making recycling easier to understand and access
2. Facilities & Service Delivery
Our Recycling Centres already perform well, but we want to go further. We’re looking to explore:
· Improving efficiency based on site usage
· New ways to recover recyclable materials from unsorted black bag waste
· Upgrades to handle new materials like flexible plastics
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Future Services
As we prepare for the end of our current waste contract in 2031, we’re planning ahead. This includes:
· Adapting to new national policies
· Working with neighbouring councils and partners to share resources and improve services
· Model future waste growth and infrastructure needs to plan for the new contract post 2031
What’s changing?
New national legislation will significantly affect how councils collect and manage waste:
- Simpler Recycling: All councils across England are asked to offer kerbside collections for the same set of materials.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Packaging producers will help fund recycling services.
- Deposit Return Scheme (DRS): Residents will pay a deposit on drinks containers and reclaim it by returning items to designated locations.
- Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): Councils will face higher costs for burning carbon-heavy waste like plastics and textiles.
- Biowaste to Landfill Restrictions: Councils must reduce biodegradable waste going to landfill.
These changes will require updates to local services and facilities, and your feedback will help shape how they are delivered.