Garden waste service expands to reach every household in the Stroud district

Published

16.03.2026

Every household in the Stroud district can now use the council’s garden waste collection service, thanks to a fleet expansion that provides full district-wide coverage, including remote and rural areas that were previously unreachable.

The service already helps 18,000 households recycle their garden waste, but some properties haven’t been able to join until now because the larger collection vehicles were unable to reach narrow roads.

To change that, the council has introduced a smaller vehicle, along with a new kerbside compostable sack collection system designed specifically for locations with very limited access. Instead of the standard brown garden waste wheelie bins used elsewhere, these properties will use compostable sacks collected by a pick‑up style vehicle, ensuring all homes across the district can now benefit from a convenient garden waste service.

How the new compostable sack service works

Residents living in properties that cannot be serviced by a vehicle fitted with a bin-lift will be offered the new compostable sack scheme.

Subscriptions are now open, with collections starting from 30 March.
Residents pay an annual subscription fee, which will be reduced for 2026 due to the later first collection.
The subscription includes fortnightly collections until the end of November and the supply of compostable sacks.
To help avoid unnecessary travel to remote locations, all collections must be pre-booked.
Subscribers will receive 50 compostable sacks per year - 25 at the start of their subscription, with a further 25 available on request once the first batch has been used.
Residents may book up to two sacks per collection.
Full instructions will be given on how to use the sacks which should be filled to a marked line and the tops folded over to prevent spillage.

Standard bin service continues

For the majority of homes, the standard brown garden waste bin service continues as usual. Subscriptions for 2026 are now open, costing £58.50 per year, with a one‑off £20 fee for new customers who need a bin.

To check whether your property is eligible for the bin service or the compostable sack service, visit: Garden waste collection service

What can go in your garden waste?

Grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, hedge clippings, shrub prunings, twigs and small branches, bark, cut flowers, house plants, and untreated sawdust or wood shavings.

Garden waste is taken to a local composting facility and turned into compost.

Food waste reminder

Food waste must not be put in the garden waste bin or compostable sacks. It should go in your grey food waste caddy. Replacement caddies can be collected from Ebley Mill during office hours or ordered online via the council’s Order a Waste Container page Order a new bin or container

Cllr Martin Pearcy, chair of SDC’s Environment Committee, said:

“This is great news for residents who currently cannot access our garden waste service. The investment in our waste service supports the Council Plan objective of helping people increase recycling rates, reduces residents' journeys to recycling centres and ensures we comply with new government rules to standardise recycling.

“Residents in Gloucestershire can also buy a subsidised compost bin made from recycled plastic, to use in addition to, or instead of, the garden waste service. It’s a great way to turn kitchen and garden waste into nutrient‑rich compost for their own gardens.”

Subsidised home compost bins are available at: https://www.gloucestershirerecycles.com/reduce/composting

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