CALLS have been made for Tesco to clean up its recycling banks in the Cotswolds which are regularly overflowing.

Environmental officers at Cotswold District Council have requested the supermarket giant to post notices reminding people they must recycle responsibly when using the store-owned facilities in Stow and Tetbury in the south of the district.

The council said it was "very concerned" about the ongoing state of the recycling banks although it has no responsibility for them as they are located on private land.

Cardboard which is regularly piled up against the recycling bins is classed as fly-tipping and Tesco said it will notify the council if it happens at their sites so that officers can investigate and take action.

Councillor David Fowles, Cabinet Member for the Environment at Cotswold District Council, said:

“Local councillors and CDC staff have been monitoring the recycling banks at Tesco stores which appear to be regularly overflowing. We are very concerned about the ongoing state of these banks.

"The Gloucestershire Joint Waste team has been in touch with the supermarket this week and I am pleased to say that the banks have now been emptied.

"Nevertheless, residents should avoid over-filling them and we have urged Tesco to empty the banks more frequently to avoid similar problems in the future.

"Meanwhile, because this is a recurring problem, we will continue to monitor the site."

Cllr Fowles added the council was not responsible for clearing the banks at the supermarkets.

"Some time ago, Tesco made a policy decision nationally to provide their own recycling banks to their customers and to terminate previous arrangements with local authorities," he said.

" As a consequence, the supermarket is solely responsible for resolving any backlogs. In future if members of the public wish to report any problems they should contact their local Tesco store manager.”

A Tesco spokesman said: "We know that customers really appreciate being able to recycle at our stores.

"We have the facilities emptied several times each week and work to try and keep the areas around them clean. We will continue to work with the local council to make sure they’re used properly."