The re3 waste partnership is a joint service provided to people living under Reading Borough, Wokingham Borough and Bracknell Forest councils.
The partnership runs the waste recycling facilities at Island Road in Reading and Longshot Lane in Bracknell.
It is currently developing a new waste management strategy that will guide services from 2026 to 2031.
The strategy is focused on reducing waste, improving recycling rates and delivering services that are cost-effective and responsive to residents’ needs.
It will also investigate ways to enhance recycling centres’ efficiency and upgrade facilities to handle new materials like flexible plastics.
The re3 partnership published a recycling rate of 53 per cent, meaning more than half of all waste collected in the area is recycled.
But not all of that is recycled in this country, as information re3 published last year revealed that recyclable material is sent to China, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
Furthermore, the partnership has stated that up to 55 per cent of what residents put in their general waste bins and 83 per cent of what’s treated as non-recyclable waste at re3 Recycling Centres could be recycled instead.
The strategy for 2026 to 2031 is currently undergoing a public consultation process.
Issuing a joint statement, councillors Karen Rowland, Helen Purnell and Katrin Harding, representing member councils, said: “The re3 partnership has been successfully delivering on a 25-year waste disposal contract for the three councils since 2006.
“This new strategy will not only help us complete the final years of that contract effectively but also act as a vital bridge, enabling us to shape future services to reflect what our residents want and need.
“We encourage everyone to share their views so we can build a waste management and recycling structure that works for our communities now and for generations to come.”
You can take part in the public consultation into the strategy online on Reading council’s Go Vocal website.
The consultation is open until Sunday, December 14.
Cllr Rowland (Labour, Abbey) is the lead councillor for environmental services on Reading Borough Council and the chair of the joint waste disposal board.
Cllr Purnell (Labour, Easthampstead & Wildridings) is the vice-chair of the joint waste disposal board and cabinet member for the environment on Bracknell Forest Council, where meetings of the board are hosted.
Finally, cllr Harding (Liberal Democrats, Thames) is the executive member for the environment and the climate emergency at Wokingham Borough Council.