By Saul Cooke-Black

A WEEKLY food waste collection is to be introduced across the district in a council bid to reduce landfill problems.

Sealed food bins and kitchen food waste caddies will be provided when the service is launched in November 2016.

An optional garden waste collection will also be rolled out in February 2016, while charges will be introduced for the collection of bulky waste items such as furniture and washing machines from September 14, this year.

Simon Pickering, chairman of Stroud District Council’s environment committee, said: “We have made these changes by getting the views of residents and are confident that they will be an improvement.

“Charging for bulky waste collections will allow us to recycle more and waste less, leading to environmental savings and a reduction in the amount of tax we all have to pay for landfill waste.”

It means anyone contacting the council to have bulky waste collected will be charged £15 for the collection of up to three items, with additional items charged at £5.

However, Conservative councillor Nigel Cooper, who represents Painswick, hit out at the timing of the announcement.

He said: “Why has the announcement been made at this time, on the eve of a bank holiday without councillors being informed and the charges coming in at such short notice?”

Some councillors were also concerned the proposals would increase the risk of fly-tipping when the issue was discussed last year.

Mr Pickering added: “We have collected items such as fridges, three-piece suites and televisions from households, which contact us at no charge but of course it does come at a cost to the taxpayer.

“We currently spend £165,000-a-year on the service and with reductions in support from central government we have to make some pragmatic decisions.

“National research shows that charging for such collections does not increase fly-tipping.

“At the same time as introducing the charges we are building relationships with local charities, which are interested in collecting unwanted items for reuse so many items could still be collected for free.”

It is estimated that food waste currently makes up almost a third of the rubbish that goes to landfill.

As part of the food waste service, a fortnightly wheelie-bin collection will be made to pick up the remaining waste.

Those wanting to take up the garden waste collection service will need to pay a one-off £20 charge for a waste bin and a £36 annual fee.

Further information on the changes is available at stroud.gov.uk/newscheme To book a bulky waste collection call 01453 754424 or visit stroud.gov.uk/bulky