THE WAY residents from Bracknell, Reading and Wokingham recycle is set to change as of next month.

Proof of residency will be needed for those hoping to use recycling centres in Binfield and Reading after bosses introduced stricter entry rules.

Re3's recycling centres announced the decision on January 7 in order to tackle non-residents using fake permits - something residents are wrongly paying for through their council tax.

ALSO READ: Crossrail to open in summer 2021 after delay of two-and-a-half years

The change was also brought in to save money and resources required to update, reprint and issue permits to residents of all three boroughs.

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes MBE, Bracknell Forest Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Chairman of the Joint Waste Disposal Board, Cllr Sophia James, Reading Borough Council’s

In a joint statement, councillors from Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Forest councils said: "The residency checks are crucial to ensure that Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough residents are not paying for the disposal of waste from visitors outside the re3 area, via their council tax.

"We’re thankful to all residents who use our fantastic facilities regularly and we estimate that majority of them are already using commonly held documents to demonstrate their address, rather than windscreen stickers.

ALSO READ: Ascot drug dealers sentenced for supplying class A drugs

"This type of residency checks proved to be very efficient and is much more cost-effective as there is no need to re-issue stickers on a regular basis.

"Unfortunately, we’ve also noted cases of fake permits being presented by visitors, which made them less and less reliable."

Re3 lists valid forms of identification as a driving licence, Current council tax bill, Utility bill, bank or credit card statement issued no more than four months prior to the date of visit, Bracknell Forest resident e+ card, Photocard bus pass issued by a Re3 council, and Valid blue badge or residents’ parking permit issued by a Re3 council. The action is to be set in place for February 1.