AN INNOVATION born out of necessity during the covid pandemic, a system designed to make Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell’s recycling centres run smoothly has been hailed a success.
In May 2020, re3 centres in Reading and Bracknell introduced an online booking service, Click and Tip. It allocated slots to visitors, giving them a fixed time to turn up and tip their waste.
The system helps cope with demand at peak times, and reduced queues.
Re3, which operates the centres on behalf of the three borough councils, says it has improved air quality around the sites, and boosted recycling rates.
And, they say, 88% of users confirmed they experienced shorter queues, while three-quarters of respondents to an exit poll said it is easier to recycle with the booking system in place.
The initial frustration of trying to book a slot has since given way to smoother service: re3 says two-thirds of residents sign up the day before or on the day.
The board, comprising members of the three borough councils, will continue to monitor the system.
Cllr Dorothy Hayes, Bracknell Forest Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Chairman of the Joint Waste Disposal Board, said: “We strongly believe that the booking system brings a huge benefit to the Partnership. It has reduced waiting times, cut congestion, and minimised traffic disruption.
“The reduction in queuing vehicles has certainly improved air quality for neighbours, which is a big bonus to the environment.”
This praise was echoed by Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Neighbourhoods & Communities, who said residents had praised the service they had received.
“We are looking to discover areas of the town where there may be a slower pick-up of the service to ensure that the service is equally accessible for everyone by using the booking system data to map areas of low usage.
“We will then be also looking for ways that we can engage with those residents who have never used the service and will be seeking views via the Council’s Annual Resident’s Survey.”
And Wokingham borough’s executive member for environment, sport and leisure,
Cllr Ian Shenton, said: “The benefits of the booking system are not only seen in the environmental aspects but also in the behavioural changes amongst residents.
“We are seeing more efficient and compressed journeys, suggesting that advance planning encourages residents to be more organised.”
