WASTE management partnership re3 has published its annual environmental report for the 2023-2024 contract year.
The partnership, which unites disposal and recycling initiatives in Bracknell Forest, Reading, and Wokingham, has marked another “excellent” year which includes some of its highest waste recovery rates and customer satisfaction levels.
The last 12 months has seen a consistently high landfill diversion rate of 95.3% across its contracted areas, which minimises environmental impact of non-recyclables.
More than 20,000 properties across the region were enrolled in a national soft plastic and wrapping kerbside trial, continuing the partnership’s commitment to new recycling inititatives.
The user satisfaction survey conducted by re3 showed over 90% satisfaction at both their Bracknell and Reading recycling centres (91% and 92% respectively.)
The partnership also launched virtual tours to help customers explore the recycling centres as well as its materials recycling facilities, increasing operational transparency and public engagement.
Its re3regrow initiative saw continued expansion, providing more than 100 community groups with compost for free last year, helping to promote community activities and foster further recycling awareness.
It also recycled more than one million coffee pods as part of its PodBank scheme.
Cllr Karen Rowland, Chair of the Joint Waste Disposal Board; Cllr Helen Purnell, Vice-Chair of the Joint Waste Disposal Board; and Cllr Jordan Montgomery, Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, released a joint statement in light of the publication.
They said: “re3 is an excellent example of collaborative partnership between three Councils and a private sector partner, FCC.
“We’re collectively proud to see new services and projects being added every year and are grateful to residents for their engagement–The expansion of our community initiatives reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the re3 partnership.
“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary year, we are especially proud of these achievements and the excellent stats we’ve reached.
“This milestone highlights the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to embracing new opportunities and innovations that will further enhance our recycling efforts and benefit our communities.”
Scott Adams, re3 General Manager, FCC Environment, added: “Here at re3, our main focus is on the Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of waste.
“I’m proud to be part of a team that can report a recovery rate for the previous year of 95.3%, an ongoing and fantastic achievement from all involved across the partnership, households, members of public, the Councils, collection crews and all staff here at re3, but there’s still more we can do and as we go into 24/25, we are always looking for ways we can improve even further”.
More information about the re3 waste partnership is available via: re3.fccenvironment.co.uk
