Stroud has been named among England’s 10 local authority areas with the highest recorded asbestos waste, ranking ninth nationally after a sharp year-on-year increase.
Research by waste management company BusinessWaste.co.uk found that Stroud recorded 168.66 tonnes of asbestos-containing waste per 10,000 residents in 2025. The figure was 49.66% higher than the previous year.
The figures were produced using hazardous waste data from the Environment Agency and population figures. They measure waste recorded as being removed and disposed of, rather than the amount of asbestos still present in buildings or the level of exposure faced by residents.
How Stroud compares nationally
Stroud was one of two Gloucestershire authorities to appear in the national top 10. Neighbouring Tewkesbury ranked eighth, with 182.87 tonnes per 10,000 residents.
The national table was led by Stratford-on-Avon, which recorded 2,343.56 tonnes per 10,000 residents. BusinessWaste.co.uk said that exceptionally high result was largely linked to a single aggregated record involving 34,116 tonnes of asbestos-containing construction materials.
Basildon ranked second, followed by Brentwood, while Harborough and Castle Point completed the top five.
Advice for people who discover suspected asbestos
Mark Hall, a Stroud waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said asbestos remained present in many older buildings more than 25 years after its use was banned in the UK.
“The important thing is that this waste is disposed of correctly and recorded through official channels.”
He said asbestos waste was likely to continue being recorded for many years and said it should be identified before work starts, handled by trained professionals and taken to authorised facilities.
“Concern for public safety arises when these systems are bypassed.”
Mr Hall added that asbestos was more likely to be found in properties built or refurbished before 2000. He warned that it can be difficult to identify by sight alone and advised anyone who believes they have uncovered it at home or work to consult professionals.
What Stroud residents are being told
A Stroud District Council spokesperson said the report concerned asbestos-containing waste that had been identified, removed and disposed of through authorised channels.
“Where asbestos-containing materials are identified during maintenance, refurbishment or demolition works, it is important that they are handled and disposed of appropriately.”
The council said residents can find advice about asbestos disposal and management on its website, including links to Gloucestershire County Council’s asbestos disposal arrangements and information from the Health and Safety Executive.
Advice is available at stroud.gov.uk/environment/environmental-health/environmental-protection/asbestos/.