Hempsted Household Recycling Centre (HRC), located on the outskirts of Gloucester, is scheduled to close from 13 August for essential improvement works, with reopening anticipated in mid-November. The closure is aimed at facilitating a series of upgrades designed to make the centre more efficient, environmentally sustainable, and better equipped to handle future demand.
Among the planned enhancements are the installation of six new electrical waste compactors dedicated to general waste, garden waste, and cardboard. These compactors will be powered entirely by renewable electricity, reflecting a commitment to reducing waste journeys and enhancing operational efficiency.
Following the centre’s reopening, a new reuse shop will be introduced. This facility will enable visitors to have items repaired and given a second life, promoting reuse and waste reduction.
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Additional improvements include resurfacing the site, reinforcing concrete walls, and upgrading drainage systems. These measures aim to manage rainwater more effectively, mitigate flooding risks, and help prevent unplanned closures in the future.
During this closure, residents accustomed to using Hempsted HRC will need to travel further to alternative sites. The nearest options are Wingmoor Farm HRC in Bishops Cleeve, approximately 13 miles away, and Pyke Quarry HRC near Nailsworth, about 15 miles distant. Both locations may require an additional half-hour travel time.
Gloucestershire County Council acknowledges the inconvenience this temporary closure will cause and extends gratitude to residents for their patience throughout the upgrade period. Full information about alternative recycling centre locations and their operating hours is available on the Gloucestershire Recycles website.
Cllr Ashley Bowkett, the cabinet member responsible for nature, climate, and waste reduction, commented:
“I know this temporary closure will be frustrating for many residents who rely on Hempsted, and I want to thank people for their patience while this important work is carried out.
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.
We appreciate this will cause some short-term disruption, but these upgrades will help us provide a more reliable and sustainable service for everyone who uses the site.”
In related developments, Gloucestershire recently confirmed new charges for excess DIY waste at local tips, a move that has sparked controversy and is set to take effect next year.