Local authority officials in Berkshire have warned that launching a kerbside glass collection to comply with new laws would be “costly” and “not achievable” within the time remaining.
Bracknell Forest Council head of environmental services Claire Pike and assistant director of contract services Damian James wrote that there was “no choice” other than to introduce the service ahead of a government deadline.
In a report to the council’s cabinet, they noted that residents already recycled three-quarters of glass used in the borough. But to comply with Simpler Recycling laws, the local authority must offer kerbside collection of mixed dry recyclables including glass by March 2026, the document added.
“We will engage with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) so that it can understand our situation but with the funding allocated and the introduction of legislation that mandates kerbside collection for a number of recycling streams, we have no choice but to implement this additional service.”
Meanwhile Pike and James said meeting the government’s March 2026 deadline was “not achievable to make a service change of this scale”. They added: “Although not compliant, an agreed option chosen and a planned way forward could be communicated to Defra if required.”
The report urged cabinet to approve rollout of a standalone glass collection from autumn 2026, and reduce the number of recycling banks available for the material by “at least half”.
The vehicles and containers required for the new service would cost in the region of £1.8 million, according to the paper. However, simply adding glass to existing kerbside bins would be even more expensive because of works required at the facility in Reading the waste is taken to for sorting.
Cabinet will meet to make a decision on the issue next week.
