More Stroud district residents will be able to access the council’s garden waste collection service next year thanks to the introduction of a smaller vehicle capable of reaching narrow roads.
Stroud District Council currently provides fortnightly garden waste collections to around 18,000 households from February to late November. Until now, some homes were unable to join the scheme because standard collection trucks could not safely navigate tighter streets.
The addition of a smaller vehicle means the service can now be extended to a further 3,300 households. For properties on very narrow roads that remain inaccessible, the council will launch a garden waste sack collection service in spring 2026, with further details to be announced in the new year.
Subscriptions for the 2026 season are now open, with an annual fee of £58.50. New customers also pay a one-off £20 charge for a brown garden waste bin. Residents can check eligibility by entering their postcode on the council’s booking page.
Accepted materials include grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, hedge trimmings, branches, bark, cut flowers, house plants and untreated wood shavings. All collected waste is taken to a local facility where it is turned into compost.
Cllr Martin Pearcy, chair of the council’s Environment Committee, welcomed the expansion: “This is good news for residents who currently can’t access our garden waste service. The investment supports our commitment to helping households reduce waste and increase recycling, and ensures we comply with new government rules to standardise recycling.”
Residents can also purchase subsidised compost bins made from recycled plastic through Gloucestershire Recycles, allowing them to compost garden and kitchen waste at home.
The council reminds residents that food waste must be placed in grey caddies, which can be collected from Ebley Mill or ordered online.