Get ready for spring

West Berkshire Council and Veolia are once again teaming up to offer residents free, peat-free soil conditioner, with the popular giveaway returning for the eighth time this spring.

Residents can collect certified soil conditioner at Veolia's Waste Management Facility in Padworth (RG7 4JF) on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March, 10:00am - 4:00pm. No booking is required.

Residents should bring proof of their West Berkshire residency and their own bags, boxes or containers, as the soil conditioner will be provided loose. Shovels will be available on site. To ensure fair access for all, residents are asked to take a reasonable amount.

The event is always busy, with peak times typically between 10:00 - 11:00am and 1:00 - 2:00pm. The soil conditioner is usually restocked around midday and 2:00pm, so there is no need to arrive early.

The PAS 100 (Publicly Available Specification 100) soil conditioner is produced at Veolia's In-Vessel Composting Facility in Padworth using food and garden waste collected from local households. Recycling food waste helps reduce what goes into black bins and supports more sustainable, closed-loop, waste management.

Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for Environment and Highways at West Berkshire Council, said:

"This popular giveaway is a great example of how we turn everyday recycling into something residents can really use.

"Veolia's peat-free soil conditioner supports greener gardening while helping cut waste, and it's fantastic to see so many people getting involved year after year. I'd encourage residents to come along, pick up what they need, and help us make the most of this valuable local resource."

Dave Matthews, General Manager at Veolia West Berkshire, added:

"Veolia is very pleased to be supporting West Berkshire Council with the eighth annual free soil conditioner giveaway. It's a fantastic example of the local circular economy in action, with the food waste we collect from residents being turned into soil conditioner at our local site in Padworth, ready to help more food and flowers grow in the area.

"The soil conditioner created at Padworth is peat-free, meaning peatlands that store carbon dioxide are not impacted as part of its production, which helps combat climate change and protect important environments."

For more information about food waste collections, visit: www.westberks.gov.uk/foodwaste.

Please note commercial vehicles are not permitted. This event is strictly for residents only. Please refer to our HWRC user guide (see page 8) for full vehicle restrictions.

You are responsible for safely loading soil conditioner into your vehicle. Event organisers cannot accept liability for injuries or damage during loading.