A Stroud superstore recycling area may need to be withdrawn due to ‘significant abuse’ by fly tippers and business owners.

The popular facility, which is part of the Tesco superstore car park on Stratford Road, has been the source of many complaints by members of the public due to the over spilling industrial bins and piles of dumped waste.

Stroud News and Journal:

Stratford Road Tesco superstore recyling area has experienced 'significant abuse' from members of the public

Over the Christmas period Tesco head office, who manage the extensive recycling facility, was forced to close the area offering glass, metal, paper, plastic and textiles recycling, due to ‘large-quantities’ of waste being fly-tipped.

A spokesman for Tesco said: “We experienced significant abuse of the recycling area at our Stroud Superstore in the run up to Christmas, with large quantities of waste being fly-tipped at the site.

“As a result of this we were forced to temporarily close off our recycling facilities over the Christmas period, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

“We have now re-opened the recycling area to the public and we would encourage people to use it responsibly, so that we can continue to offer this service to the community.”

Stroud News and Journal:

The supermarket chain's head office made the decision to temporarily close the facility over the festive period

The facility reopened after the festive period and was immediately the source of numerous complaints by members of the public, prompting an officer from Stroud District to inspect the area.

A spokesperson from Stroud District Council explained that the local authority is attempting to work with the company to improve their provision:  “Our officers visited Tesco on January 12,  to offer advice about the recycling facility that they provide for use by their customers,” she said.

“Our residential recycling service means that there’s no need to take cardboard, bottles, cans and plastic containers to recycling banks.

"Just put them in your green wheelie bin or hessian sack and they will be collected from your home.

“There are still facilities to recycle books, DVDs CDs, textiles and shoes at a number of recycling banks around the district, and of course charity shops are always grateful for good quality donations,” she said.

There has also been some concern that business owners are using the area to dispose of commercial waste.

It is illegal for business waste to be disposed of at recycling facilities that have been set aside for members of the public.

Stroud News and Journal:

Council officers suspect that the area has been used by businesses illegally dumping their waste

Additionally, business owners have a responsibility to ensure that any waste carrier that they employ is registered to dispose of waste, and does not illegally dump rubbish from their business.

The SDC spokesperson continued: “Waste from businesses should not be deposited in recycling banks or put out for collection with residential waste. 

“Anyone producing commercial waste should make sure that it is collected by a registered waste carrier and that they are provided with a waste transfer note,” they explained.

A list of recycling banks  and advice about business waste can be found on the Stroud District Council website stroud.gov.uk