FOLLOWING concerns from Wokingham Today readers over the introduction of wheelie bins next year, Wokingham Borough Council is exploring ways to help them blend in with the street scene, including camouflage designs.
These, it is hoped, will blend in seamlessly in borough gardens, meaning they will be practically invisible in every day use.
The bins will be introduced from summer next year after a vote by the ruling executive committee last month. As part of the shake-up, waste and recycling collections will switch to alternate weeks rather than the weekly system currently used.
The council’s finance team estimate this will save £1 million a year as it will increase recycling, particularly of food waste, which is around £100 per tonne cheaper to process.
The decision to switch was made after a council consultation, which saw more than 9,000 residents take part. Of those, 24% approved fortnightly collections, while 43% said they could accept it.
And the council said that 85% of local authorities across the country already have wheelie bins, including neighbours in Reading and Bracknell.
But the decision move has been met with mixed reactions, with some residents expressing support while others have voiced concerns. And opposition councils won a debate in the council chamber two days after the executive decision, calling for the existing system to be kept.
The Conservatives have made keeping weekly collections an election issue, saying they will launch an education campaign to encourage residents to recycle more instead.
But opposition could disappear if the bins can blend in to the background better.
According to council officer for rubbish decisions, Amadan Giblean, the decision to camouflage the bins was inspired by a desire to create a more aesthetically pleasing environment.
“We understand that wheelie bins are a necessary part of modern life, but they can be quite unsightly,” Mr Giblean said. “By camouflaging them, we hope to make them blend in with their surroundings and improve the overall look of the borough.”
The council plans to use a range of designs, including floral patterns and natural landscapes, to create a sense of unity between the bins and their surroundings. Mr Giblean said that the designs would be chosen based on the location of the bins and the surrounding environment.
“We want the bins to look like they belong in their surroundings, rather than sticking out like a sore thumb,” Mr Giblean said. “For example, bins in a park might be camouflaged with a tree design, while bins in a residential area might have a brick pattern.”
However, not all residents are convinced that the scheme is a good idea. Some have raised concerns about the cost and practicality of camouflaging the bins.
“It seems like a lot of effort for very little gain,” said resident, Rebecca McDonald. “I’d rather the council focus on more pressing issues, like sorting out the potholes.”
Despite these concerns, the council has stated that it is committed to going ahead with the scheme. Mr Giblean said the benefits of the scheme would be felt by all residents in the borough.
“We believe that by improving the appearance of the borough, we can create a better sense of community pride and make Wokingham an even more attractive place to live,” Mr Giblean said.
“For residents willing to pay an additional fee, we will be able to create custom designs, such as one using a specially created tartan paint.”
Residents will be encouraged to provide feedback on the designs with a consultation expected to be launched later in the year.
