Reading Liberal Democrats

News today (25 October) that the Government “strongly supports” weekly food waste collection – and suggests that it’s the best environmental outcome – have been welcomed as a boost to the campaign by Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson in Reading, and Parliamentary campaigner for Reading East, Gareth Epps.

Cllr Gareth Epps (Lib Dem, Katesgrove) has been leading a campaign to get Reading Borough Council to bring in kerbside glass recycling and food waste collection, and has been circulating a petition. Gareth has called on the Council to bring in food waste collection to give residents the comfort of knowing food waste will again be collected weekly.

Responding to the Government announcement, Cllr Gareth Epps says:

“This is backing for our campaign from an unexpected source. But we welcome the Labour Government’s clear statement that Labour-run Reading is wrong to dismiss food waste collection.

The Government is responding belatedly to concerns over the environmental impact of waste collection. My colleagues and I are the only ones in Reading who have been calling for this. I will be pressing the Council for a positive response which would build public confidence and help the Council achieve its own objectives.

The silence of the Tories on this as on other issues shows that they do not have the interests of Reading residents at heart. They have broken their promise to force a review of fortnightly collections.”

Responding to the Communities and Local Government Committee’s report on Refuse Collection in England, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said guidance had been issued suggesting local councils should consider collecting food waste weekly.

DEFRA also confirmed that councils who collect food waste only every two weeks should consider the need to assess the risks.

Editor’s Note :- The Special Report can be viewed on the Committee’s website from approximately 2pm on 25 October at: Communities and Local Government Committee.