Not the greenest town? (From Stroud News and Journal)

Not the greenest town?

PROMINENT traders Ian Morrison and John Mills have claimed that Stroud is not as environmentally friendly as it should be.

"Stroud is supposed to be the greenest town in the country," said Mr Mills of Mills cafe at Witheys yard and the Shambles.

However, Mr Mills, and Mr Morrison who owns the Retreat wine bar in Church Street, feel that the green image that is projected in Stroud is somewhat off the mark.

Both Mr Mills and Mr Morrison would now like to see a recycling scheme implemented for commercial trade in the town.

Mr Mills gets through a multitude of bottles at his cafe each working day and is desperate to see these waste bottles recycled.

"We would like to recycle but at the moment this facility is not available for traders," he said.

At present all bottles used by commercial traders are taken away by a private contractor.

"We want to change this," said Mr Morrison.

"I'm not happy about using a private contractor but this is the only option we have.

"Home owners are given door to door re-cycling collections which has been a fantastic success but there is no such facility for traders to recycle bottles.

"Something definitely needs to be put in place and I would be happy to sponsor a bin if the council could set it up.

"At present all my trade waste such as empty bottles are taken away by a private firm and dumped in landfill sites," said Mr Morrison.

Recycling officer at Stroud District council Maggie Adderley admitted that the council would not be able to offer a re-cycling service to traders.

"We can't pick up trade re-cycling like we do with householders. The best thing for businesses is to get in touch with a private contractor."

But she added: "We are looking at ways of improving things all the time."