Bedford Borough Council’s Recycling and Refuse team will be at this year’s Bedford River Festival, offering residents practical advice and fun activities for all ages.
Visitors can find the team in Russell Park, in a marquee located near the path towards the Butterfly Bridge. The Recycling and Refuse team will be joined by the Council’s Sustainable Transport Team and Electric Vehicle Charge Point Team, giving residents the chance to explore a range of environmental initiatives in one place.
Recycling Support Officers will be on hand to answer questions about reducing waste, what goes in each bin, and how to recycle more effectively at home. There will also be the opportunity for local businesses to ask about the council’s commercial waste offering and to request a quote. Visitors will have the chance to test their knowledge with a recycling quiz and find out where to take items that cannot be collected at the kerbside.
Families are encouraged to stop by, with recycling-themed colouring sheets available for children to enjoy in the shade of the marquee.
There will also be an opportunity to win a family ticket to this year’s Bedford Corn Exchange pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk by RARE Pantomimes, running from 19-31 December 2026. Whether it’s beans and other food waste from your kitchen or garden waste from your own beanstalks, the Council’s team can help you make sure it’s disposed of in the best way - and by signing up to the Recycling and Refuse email bulletin, you could be in with a chance of winning a family ticket and enjoy a festive production full of “Fe-Fi-Fo-FUN”.
To enter, residents simply need to subscribe to the Council’s Recycling and Refuse email bulletin by scanning the QR code at the stand. Those already subscribed can still take part by scanning the code to enter the prize draw.
Councillor Nicky Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said, “The Bedford River Festival is a fantastic opportunity to meet residents face-to-face and support them to recycle more and waste less. With advice on everything from food and garden waste to everyday recycling, as well as activities for children, there’s something for everyone. It’s also great to be joined by colleagues from our Sustainable Transport and Electric Vehicle Chargepoint teams, helping residents explore even more ways to live sustainably.”
Alongside the Recycling and Refuse team, residents can also speak to Council teams across the festival site, including Community Safety, Fostering and Adoption, the Local Offer and Family Hubs during the festival. Bedford Central Library and The Higgins Bedford will also be open as usual across both days, offering even more for visitors to enjoy for free.