Published on
13 January 2026
Opportunity to name borough's new waste and street cleansing vehicles
A public competition to find creative, memorable names for the vehicles that will keep the borough clean and tidy every day.
Residents are being invited to help name Wokingham Borough Council’s brand-new fleet of waste collection lorries and street cleaning vehicles ahead of their introduction this summer.
The council is launching a public competition to find creative, memorable names for the vehicles that will keep the borough clean and tidy every day.
Across the UK, similar competitions have produced well known favourites such as Bin Diesel and Sweep Caroline, and the council hopes residents will enjoy coming up with equally imaginative suggestions for the local fleet.
The naming competition opens this week and residents can submit ideas using an online form by 30 January.
Shortlist confirmed in February
Entries will be shortlisted by councillors, council staff and partners before going to a public vote from 9 to 27 February, with the winning names announced on 6 March.
The chosen names will then be displayed on the front of the cabs when the vehicles enter service from 1 June, making them easy to spot as they carry out collections and cleaning across the borough.
Winning entrants will receive prizes from Biffa, the council’s new waste collection and street cleansing contractor, who begin operating the new service from June.
Schools with pupils who submit winning suggestions will also receive a special visit from the newly named vehicle later in the year.
New contract to start in June
The council is introducing the brand new fleet as part of the new contract.
The vehicles include modern in-cab technology designed to make collections more efficient and cost effective, as well as helping crews to work safely while improving the services for residents.
Cllr Katrin Harding, executive member for environment and climate emergency, said:
“This is a fun way for residents of all ages to get involved in the launch of our new waste collection and street cleansing service.
“These vehicles will be working in our communities every day, so it’s fitting that local people get the chance to name them.
"We’re looking forward to seeing the creativity and humour the borough is known for – and we hope this helps build excitement ahead of the fleet starting operations in June.
“Alongside the fun element, the new fleet represents a major investment in a more efficient, cleaner and modern service. We’re pleased to be working with Biffa to deliver improvements that residents will benefit from right across the borough.”
Help spread the word
Residents are encouraged to share the competition with friends, family and local schools to help spread the word and boost participation.
The fleet will support the council’s climate goals by incorporating more fuel-efficient models and smaller electric vehicles as part of the new contract awarded last year.
It’s valued at about £7 million per year and runs for an initial eight-year term, following a rigorous procurement process to ensure a high-quality, value for money service for residents.
The vehicles will have reduced carbon emissions while maintaining good standards in street sweeping, litter collection, fly-tipping response and graffiti removal.
The new contract will result in some collection days changing and new arrangements for some residents. Impacted households will be contacted directly later in the year.
