Waste tax costs Gloucestershire £7.7million

In April landfill tax will increase by £8 for every tonne buried - costing Gloucestershire County Council an estimated £7.7million.

Councilors are urging the public to recycle more in a bid to reduce the bill which is up £1.3million on last year.

The amount of biodegradable waste councils are allowed to bury has also been reduced, and for every tonne above the allowance  they could be fined £150.

Cllr Stan Waddington, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said: "This is a shocking figure and really hits home the need for us to stop burying our waste.

"Gloucestershire County Council is working hard with its partners to increase recycling across the county, and we currently recycle and compost 42% of household waste with a target of at least 60% by 2020."