Labour Finally Forced Into Glass Recycling U-Turn After 20 Years of Inaction

Reading Liberal Democrats have condemned Labour-run Reading Borough Council for only committing to kerbside glass recycling after being forced to by law — and still planning to miss the government’s deadline, despite the Lib Dems calling for this basic service for 20 years.

Reading remains one of the few councils in the country without a kerbside glass collection service. The Liberal Democrats first called for it in the early 2000s, yet the Labour administration has consistently ignored residents and blocked proposals for two decades.

Now, under pressure from central government legislation, the Council has finally confirmed it will introduce the service — but not until autumn 2026, months after the March 2026 legal deadline.

Cllr James Moore, Deputy Leader of the Reading Liberal Democrats, said:

"This is not a policy Labour believes in — it’s one they’ve been legally forced to implement. And even then, they’ve chosen to deliver it late.

The Liberal Democrats have campaigned for doorstep glass recycling in Reading for 20 years. Residents are rightly asking why they’ve had to wait two decades for something standard almost everywhere else."

Despite years of Lib Dem pressure and residents' frustration, Labour repeatedly resisted change — leaving Reading with outdated and inconvenient glass recycling arrangements.

Cllr Moore added:

"Labour’s failure on this issue is staggering. Even now, they admit they won’t meet the deadline. After 20 years of inaction, they’re still dragging their feet.

This is a council that follows, not leads — and residents deserve better."