Greater Reading Lib Dems

The Lib Dems welcome the news that Labour-run Reading Borough Council has finally agreed to back our plan for a cleaner, fairer Reading by introducing free bulky waste collections for more Reading residents, including those on low incomes

Cllr Gareth Epps, Lib Dem Group Leader and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Reading East commented:

"The Lib Dems in Reading have long campaigned for the introduction of free bulky waste collections for people on low incomes. In a recession with many people in Reading struggling to pay bills this plan which we first put forward is more needed now than ever"

Cllr Glenn Goodall, Lib Dem environment spokesperson added:

"We are delighted that Labour has finally seen sense and belatedly backed our scheme after they and the Conservatives rejected it last year. Only the Lib Dems have the vision to make this town a cleaner and greener place. Fly tipping is a major problem for Reading and this will help reduce it across the borough."

Editor's Notes:
For more background information about the Lib Dem campaign can be found at this URL victory for cleaner greener and fairer Reading

The Reading Borough Council Press Release is as follows -

Reading residents who hold a concessionary Your Reading Passport will be entitled to two free collections a year from next month. From April 1 Reading Borough Council will revise its arrangements for the collection of bulky waste. Bulky items are those which are too big to fit into your wheeled bin like fridges, washing machines etc. Previously only Reading senior citizens were entitled to the two free bulky waste collections a year. That has now been extended to include every household where there is a concessionary Your Reading Passport holder. The scheme still applies to pensioners. Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Environment and Sustainability, said: "Reading continues to offer generous concessions to residents who require bulky waste collection services and this latest initiative gives further help to those most in need."

The Council offers a service for collection of bulky waste to residents within the Borough. They must be items that you would normally take with you when you move house, not large quantities of DIY rubbish, although RBC can provide a free estimate for removing these items. To qualify for a Concessionary Your Reading Passport people need to be a Reading resident and either be aged 60 or over and retired / not in employment, have a disability or be permanently incapacitated by ill health or be on a low income or unemployed.

Reading Borough Council is also taking the opportunity to remind residents that bin collections days over the Easter period will change and that they should check their bin collection calendar or log on to the Council's website at www.reading.gov.uk/bins to check for any changes.

1) To arrange a collection residents can call freephone 0800 834 035, or complete an application form online at www.reading.gov.uk or write to Streetcare, 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX.
2) Residents should list each of the items* that they want collected. The Council will only collect items that have been listed. They must be accessible at the front of the property, or for Flats, by the bin store.
3) Free estimates for the collection of larger numbers of items, very large, or heavy items and large amounts of rubble, building materials, soil, can be arranged, by contacting Streetcare.
4) The Council will not collect hazardous materials including oil or grease of any kind, asbestos, paint tins (even if empty) or chemicals of any kind. All of these items should be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.
5) Please note the Council cannot collect fridges or freezers from businesses, they must contact an authorised waste disposal company, check listings in the Yellow pages.

6) Prices for bulky waste collection for residents who do not hold a concessionary Your Reading Passport are:
a) Householders are charged Ł23 for collection of up to five items of the sort that you would normally take with you when you move house, not large quantities of DIY waste ie: bags of tiles etc or special items such as Pianos, cast iron baths.
b) Collection of six to 10 items will cost Ł30.
c) Domestic fridges and freezers can also be collected for Ł23 per item.

7) The council does not offer house or garden clearance services. Householders will still be able to dispose of waste, free of charge by taking it to the Smallmead Household Waste Recycling Centre. For more information on the collection of bulky waste and waste from charity shops and institutions, please call the Streetcare Team, using the freephone number on 0800 834 035.

Greater Reading Lib Dems

News

Reading Borough Council to Introduce Free Bulky Waste Collections
31 March 2009

Greater Reading Lib Dems

News

Reading Borough Council to Introduce Free Bulky Waste Collections 31 March 2009

Reading Borough Council to Introduce Free Bulky Waste Collections
31 March 2009