Residents in Reading, Berkshire, will not have their garden waste collected until March 2, 2026, because of high staff sickness and vehicle problems. Reading Borough Council confirmed the pause only affects the paid green bin service, while weekly food waste and fortnightly general waste and recycling collections will continue as usual.
To compensate for the disruption, the council is automatically extending all current 12-month subscriptions by four weeks. The service, which costs £75 a year for most households, has been struggling since early February due to what officials described as technical issues with collection lorries.
Families are being asked to store their grass cuttings and hedge trimmings at home until the service restarts in March. Alternatively, residents can book a free slot to drop off their waste at the re3 recycling centre on Island Road.
The council has updated its online bin calendar to reflect the changes and has contacted people who pay for the service directly. Those who pay a discounted rate of £56.25 for their garden bins due to being on council tax support will also receive the four-week extension.
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