Many of you will have read in Stroud District Council’s annual newsletter, which was sent to all households in the district in September, about the changes to waste and recycling collections that come in towards the end of next year.

Fundamental to the changes is the introduction of a weekly food waste recycling service.

With the food waste taken care of each week, the council will then collect the remaining waste fortnightly instead of weekly.

This should not pose problems because it should no longer contain food waste, which is generally the cause of smells and unpleasantness, and because the vast majority of households will receive wheelie-­bins for their remaining rubbish instead of bin bags.

Capacity also shouldn’t be a problem because a third of the waste we currently put out will already be catered for with the weekly food waste collections.

The use of bins will also prevent birds and animals from attacking bin bags as they currently do.

However, not all households will be able to have a wheelie-­bin due to space or access  estrictions. Generally these will be the same as the ones which currently have recycling bags instead of recycling wheelie-­bins.  These properties will continue to receive rubbish bags, but they will be beige rather than the current black.

Whilst bags are easier for birds and foxes to attack, they should prove less of a target as they will no longer contain the food waste which they are attracted to.

With a year to go until the new service is rolled out, Stroud District Council is still finalising which households will have bags instead of bins and putting the finishing touches to the scheme. They’ll be publicising the changes and sending information directly to households nearer the time.

Food waste recycling - November 2016

To find out more, visit  www.stroud.gov.uk/newscheme

 Julie Shirley |Parish Council 01453 799616

Parish Clerk  | Eastington