Gloucester’s Hempsted Household Recycling Centre (HRC) is scheduled to close from 13 August for around three months to undergo vital improvements. The centre is expected to reopen by mid-November with enhanced facilities aimed at boosting efficiency and environmental sustainability.
The closure will see residents redirected to the nearest alternative centres, located over 10 miles away: Wingmoor Farm HRC in Bishops Cleeve, approximately 13 miles from Gloucester, and Pyke Quarry HRC near Nailsworth, around 15 miles distant. This means local users will have to travel significantly farther during the upgrade period.
The planned works include the installation of six new electrical waste compactors powered entirely by renewable electricity. These will process general waste, garden refuse, and cardboard, improving on-site efficiency and reducing the number of waste transport journeys.
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A new reuse shop is also in development and will open in the months following the centre’s reopening. This facility will offer opportunities to repair and repurpose items, extending their lifecycle and supporting waste reduction efforts.
Additional site improvements encompass enhancements to the surface and concrete walls, as well as improved drainage systems. These measures aim to better manage rainwater, lower flood risks, and help prevent future unplanned closures.
Gloucestershire County Council acknowledges that the temporary closure may cause frustration given the increased travel distance, but emphasises the long-term benefits of the upgrades.
“These improvements are an investment in a better service for the future. They will make the site more efficient, more environmentally friendly and more resilient, with the added benefit of helping us to reduce our environmental impact,” said Cllr Ashley Bowkett, cabinet member for nature, climate and waste reduction.
Council representatives have thanked residents for their patience during the disruption and confirmed that details of alternative recycling centres and their opening hours are available on the Gloucestershire Recycles website.
In related news, Gloucestershire’s waste disposal sites will introduce new charges next year for excess DIY waste, a decision that has sparked some controversy.