Heather Finlay

SDC: New guidance for recycling food and drinks cartons

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new guidance for drinks cartons

Stroud District Council is making a small change to help make recycling even easier and more efficient.

From 1 July, we’re asking residents to place all food and drinks cartons – such as orange juice and milk cartons (including Tetra Pak) – in their green recycling wheelie bin or recycling bag, rather than the recycling box.

The change is taking place as new national guidance recommends that cartons are sorted with plastics and cans – which are collected from your green bin or bag. This will help streamline the sorting process and ensure your recycling is processed as efficiently as possible.

What should go where?

  • Green wheelie bin or recycling bag: food/drinks cartons, plastic bottles, tubs and trays, tins and cans, aerosols, foil, glass bottles and jars
  • Recycling box: paper and cardboard only.

Cllr Martin Pearcy, Chair of Environment Committee said:

“We’re proud of Stroud district’s strong recycling record – it’s a testament to the commitment of our residents. These small changes to how we collect cartons are designed to make recycling easier and more straightforward for everyone.

“At the same time, we know that recycling is just one part of the picture – we all need to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place. By working together, we can continue to protect our environment and build a more sustainable future for our communities.“

For more information on what goes where, visit our Recycling and Waste page: www.stroud.gov.uk/greenbin

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Car Park Scams Warning – From Stroud District Council

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From Stroud District Council:

We’re warning vehicle owners to be aware of two parking scams.

Our officers have discovered stickers with scam QR codes on SDC ticket machines. And we are aware of a different scam where a text message tells people they have to pay a fine.

The QR codes have been stuck to ticket machines (pictured), and link mobile phones to a website which charges users to park, using credit or debit cards. Parking at an SDC car park is paid for using the MiPermit app, or with cash at ticket machines in the car parks. SDC does not use QR codes in this way. The scam stickers have been removed, and officers are monitoring the situation closely.

The second scam sends vehicle owners a text message which asks them to enter their vehicle registration, followed by payment.

Penalty Charge Notices are only issued by Stroud District Council’s enforcement officers, who will attach the notice on to a vehicle’s windscreen. We do not contact vehicle owners via text.

For more information on SDC car parks please visit https://www.stroud.gov.uk/parking

New mental wellbeing helpline launched

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Gloucestershire County Council is investing up to £1.4million over the next 7 years in a new helpline to support the mental wellbeing of adults in the county.

The new helpline, ‘Connect and Offload’, or CandO (pronounced ‘can do’) for short is designed to provide support when someone first notices signs and symptoms of their mental health worsening.  It will be open to any adult who is experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as low mood, anxiety, stress and loneliness.

It also includes support and advice for individuals seeking help with self-harm allowing them to receive the support they need, alongside wider support for their overall emotional wellbeing.

The ‘Connect and Offload’ helpline will:

  • Offer support to adults (aged 18 plus) without the need for a referral, or an appointment.
  • Enable people to access help anonymously, between the hours of 2pm-9pm, seven days a week, 365 days per year, via
  • Provide emotional support, information on local services and a ‘listening ear’.
  • Promote coping strategies, safety planning and advice on self-care.
  • Give advice and support to carers, friends or family.
  • Signpost to sources of community-based support and other mental health services, or to organisations who can help with wider issues such as concerns over finance, debt, bereavement, or employment.

The new helpline is delivered and managed by Rethink Mental Illness, a leading mental health charity that offers a range of services across England and Gloucestershire, including award winning helpline services.

Siobhan Farmer, Director of Public Health at Gloucestershire County Council said: “We are committed to helping everyone to look after their mental wellbeing and receiving help and support early is crucial to prevent symptoms getting worse.

“The new Connect and Offload helpline is a great addition to the range of mental health support services available in Gloucestershire and I know it will make a difference to individuals, and their families and friends.  I’d encourage anyone who is struggling to get in touch, so we can help you to get the support you need.”

Janice Laverick of Rethink Mental Illness said: “For lots of reasons, it can be difficult for people to reach out for help when they are experiencing mental health concerns or worries.  Our Helpline team promise a safe, confidential space in which people can remain anonymous and talk to someone about their concerns and how they are feeling.   Having that safe space in which to talk things through and be truly heard can make a real difference.  Being able to contact the Helpline by text, webchat or phone gives people the opportunity to use a method that they feel comfortable with.   I would encourage anyone experiencing any concerns with their mental wellbeing to contact us, so we can offer support for what they are going through.”

 

More information about mental health support services in Gloucestershire can be found at Be Well Gloucestershire – When life gets tough, find the support (bewellglos.org.uk)