Want to dispose of an old Reading washing machine or microwave, a redundant lawn mower or computer or an outdated TV, radio or phone? You can now have them collected on your doorstep for free thanks to a new council service.
Reading Residents wanting rid of old electrical or electronic items now need only phone a number, send an email, book online or even send a text, and a van will drop around and pick them up – at no charge to the householder.
Anything with a plug or that contains batteries will be collected and all items are recycled where possible.
The new initiative is the result of a tie up between Reading Borough Council and MIDEX Reverse Technologies Ltd – a commercial company who collect and recycle Waste Electronic & Electric Equipment (WEEE).
The new Reading service will save residents countless trips to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. And because all electrical or electronic items are recycled, the scheme will also provide a welcome boost to recycling rates, saving the Reading council-tax payer money as lower tonnages going to landfill mean lower landfill charges for the Council.
The list of electrical items that fall under the scheme is lengthy but includes washing machines, cookers, dishwashers, microwaves, stereos, DVD players, TVs, radios, telephones, computers, printers, lawn mowers and power tools. Scrap metal also falls under the scheme.
Residents can also leave any loose batteries with their electrical equipment and they will also be collected.
The free pick-up scheme is available for households with ground floor access only. In flatted developments all items must be removed to ground floor level for collection.
Fridges and freezers are not included in the scheme but the Reading Council can continue to collect these through its existing Bulky Waste service for a charge of £23 per item. Concessions are available to Senior Citizens and Your Reading Passport Holders.
Paul Gittings, Reading Lead Councillor for Environment and Sustainability, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for residents to recycle difficult bulky items free of charge and also do their bit to help reduce the amount that is sent to landfill."
Alison Hull, Account Manager at Midex, said: "We are delighted to have the support of Reading Borough Council. With their help, this new on-demand trial will enable us to retrieve and recycle larger volumes of WEEE per household than ever before. We have no doubt that the residents of Reading will rise to the challenge to make this a huge success."
Previously, MIDEX Reverse Technologies Ltd have been collecting electrical goods in other areas by distributing leaflets stating that collections in a location will be on a certain date. The Reading scheme differs in that this is the first time they have tried door to door collections on request, making it even easier for Reading residents to dispose of equipment.
Anyone living within Reading Borough Council is eligible to request free collection from their home during the trial period and residents do not need to be in for their WEEE to be collected, but do need to book ahead.
The easiest way to book collection is online at www.weeecollect.it/collection-request.php. Alternatively people can email: collect@midexcollect.it. Residents can phone 0871 2000 962 (Please note that calls to this number cost 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles may be considerably more) or even text 07775 123 978 or fax 01252 338 415.
Reading Residents should provide their full address, name, contact phone number and a rough list of items they would like collected. This doesn’t have to be precise but just helps to allocate space on the van if there are large items. Midex will then contact people within 2 working days to confirm their collection date.
Midex is unable to remove items from inside residents homes. All items to be collected need to be left outside within the confines of the property, e.g. on a driveway. If people do require help removing large items, please contact Midex directly.
The teams drive very distinctive vans with the council logo showing and the trained collectors wear fluorescent yellow MIDEXcollect.IT tops. The drivers also carry identification, so if residents are in any doubt they should ask to see their ID card.
Residents can also continue to add WEEE, batteries and metals to their pile of items with no need to re-contact the company.
Reading Borough Council
