News / gloucester road
Council removing commercial bins as part of new waste standards
Among the Instagrammable shopfronts of Gloucester Road, there is another familiar sight: rows of graffiti-tagged bins on the pavements squeezed between bike stands.
The city council now want to remove the odoriferous eyesores as part of a new set of citywide waste trade standards.
But many shop owners are disappointed that they were only given a month’s notice before the removal of the commercial bins that are currently lined outside their shops.
is needed now More than ever
The removal, set to start in July, will mean that businesses will no longer be able to leave their waste sacks overnight on the streets or pavements for collection.
Additionally, businesses will only be able to put commercial waste outside at allocated time slots, depending on where they are located in Bristol.
Failure to adhere to these new rules could result in fixed penalty notices up to £110.
Many traders say that bins positioned directly outside their shops make disposal more convenient, with the current scheme seeing bins cleared every three days – photo: Karen Johnson
The upcoming change is part of a new set of waste trade standards that Bristol City Council is hoping to implement across the city, after what they say have been successful implementations in the Old City, Broadmead and Old Market.
In a statement, a council spokesperson said: “Our new trade waste standards mean that businesses can no longer store trade bins on the highway, including pavements, or on public land, or leave sacks for collection overnight.
“Where storing bins on premises is not possible we will work with businesses to find alternative methods for storage and presenting waste for collection.”
Stella Pappa, an employee of Coffee Lab on Gloucester Road was disappointed about what she called a “major issue” of waste collection.
She said: “My bin is locked. It is the green bin that is open, so everyone uses it. In my opinion, they should remove the other bins in the area, but not for businesses.”
The council believes their new ‘bin-free’ waste standards will make streets more inviting and pleasant for visitors and residents alike.
The council statement added: “When trade waste is permanently stored on our streets it can present significant challenges for people with mobility issues or with pushchairs from getting around, as well as attracting vermin and creating litter.
“Streets that are free from trade bins and waste are more pleasant and inviting for residents and visitors.”
The new rules also mean that commercial bins can no longer be stored on public land, including highways and pavements.
The council has been working with shop owners from Stokes Croft to Gloucester Road to ensure they are well informed about the new changes.
Main photo: Karen Johnson
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