District Council asks residents to challenge themselves this Recycle Week

54% of household waste in the Forest was recycled in 2024-25, which is 10% above the national average. However, analysis of the district’s refuse shows that half of what is being binned – by weight – could have been recycled. The biggest culprit is food, but many other materials that are recyclable at the kerbside are being put into bins too, such as foil, yoghurt pots, shampoo bottles and glass bottles.

To support Recycle Week, the Council is asking residents to challenge themselves - not just for the week, but long-term - to prevent recyclable items and food from ending up in the bin.

Earlier this year, the council expanded its kerbside recycling service to accept a wider range of plastics, making it easier for residents to present recyclable material for collection from home. Materials that can now be collected include:

• Yoghurt pots, margarine and ice cream tubs
• Punnets from fruit and vegetables
• Trays from meat, biscuits etc (but not expanded polystyrene)

Councillor Andy Moore, Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for waste and recycling at Forest of Dean District Council, said:

“Recycle Week is an ideal time to shine a spotlight on the recyclable waste that is still ending up in the black bin.

“We’re urging residents to challenge themselves - to pause and to think before throwing something in the bin that could be recycled or even reused.

"But it’s not just about recycling. Every product we buy and discard uses valuable energy and resources to make and transport. The most sustainable action is to reduce waste at the source. That’s the best for our environment and helps cut the costs of waste collection and disposal.”

Cllr Moore added:

“While we have recently increased options for kerbside plastic recycling, it’s worth remembering that plastic isn’t infinitely recyclable like glass or aluminium. It degrades each time it’s recycled and, much worse, breaks into microplastics which spread across our environment and food chain - so the reduction in use of plastic in packaging is even better than recycling it.

“The best approach is to reduce how much plastic you bring into your home in the first place and support businesses that use sustainable or minimal packaging.”

Analysis of the district’s black bin waste shows that a quarter of the rubbish the Council collects from homes, based on weight, is food. Shockingly, half of it is still in its original packaging. By buying only what we need and storing food correctly, we can dramatically reduce food waste – which not only helps the planet but saves money too.

The Council is asking residents to get in touch if they need assistance to recycle more.

If residents have broken or missing containers, they can easily order replacements online. And if someone in a household has difficulty putting out containers due to illness, disability, or mobility issues and has no one in the household to help them, they can request an assisted collection. Both services can be requested online at www.fdean.gov.uk/bins or by calling 01594 810000. Further details about what can be recycled at the kerbside and elsewhere can also be found on the Forest of Dean District Council website.

The Gloucestershire Waste Wizard online tool can also help residents find the most sustainable way to dispose of their unwanted household items, including charity shops and recycling drop off points. Visit the Waste Wizard: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/wastewizard