Welcome to the second eNewsletter from Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP).
This time we have info on the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, an explanation of just what a CAG is and an update on the new waste treatment contract.
Don't forget, if you've got any comments or ideas for future articles please let us know.
The CAG Project is a network of local volunteer groups taking action to reduce, reuse and recycle in their local community.
There are currently 26 active CAGs within Oxfordshire, ranging from streets in the city to large village groups. Each CAG is autonomous and unique, undertaking a very broad range of activities. Engaging communities in this way develops strong foundations for local waste reduction, reuse and recycling activity. A number of CAGs are now also tackling wider environmental issues such as energy, carbon reduction and transport.
The CAG mission is to help people understand that through local actions they can create a global sustainable future.
Just a few CAG activities are:
• Promoting sensible shopping
• Producing their own reusable bags and having campaigns to get them used
• Attending local fairs and events offering help and advice to the public on waste reduction and related climate change issues.
• Holding swap shops
• Providing eco-detergent refilling stations
• Promoting the use of real nappies
• Working with local schools, scouts and guides
• Conducting litter picks
Check out the new CAG website: www.cagoxfordshire.gov.uk.
Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC) project to procure a new residual waste treatment facility has reached the next stage of the process. The council has closed negotiations with the bidding companies and has asked them to submit their final tenders by 1 May.
OCC is procuring a residual waste treatment facility to divert waste from landfill to meet targets for limiting the amount of biodegradable waste that is landfilled under the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) and reduce the amount of methane gas produced. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas over 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
Both companies competing for the contract are proposing incineration with energy recovery with a capacity of approximately 300,000 tonnes per annum to treat Oxfordshire’s residual municipal waste and also some commercial and industrial waste. Treating some commercial and industrial waste brings environmental and economic benefits. The two companies are;
Following a detailed evaluation of the final tenders a contract is expected to be awarded in summer 2009.
Position/s held:
For the past eight years I've been an Oxfordshire County Councillor for Watlington. I'm portfolio holder for sustainable development at Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and vice-chair of OWP.
What does this involve?
Local ward issues keep me busy, especially with five primary schools, a secondary school and the fire service in my ward. Being a member of the cabinet takes up time too as does OWP.
Why/how did you end up in this role?
My father-in-law was an Oxfordshire County Councillor and my mother was a district councillor in High Wycombe so it's in the family!
I feel that I've had a privileged life and wanted to give something back to the community where I've lived for the past nineteen years.
Four years ago I was asked by the leader to be in the cabinet.
What makes you proud about what you do?
Helping other people.
Pet-hate?
Smoking and people swearing.
One thing you love about Oxfordshire?
Coming through the cutting between junction five and six on the M40 and getting the fantastic view near where I live. The joy of seeing Oxon after a day in London is a great pleasure.
What would you like to be remembered for?
Being a good father: I have two grown up children and six grand children aged one to eight.
How do you relax?
Listening to music and reading
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Share it with my children.
Finally, give us your favorite green tip:
Boil the kettle in the morning and fill up a flask. You've then got enough hot water throughout the day to make 4 -5 cups of tea/coffee without having to boil the kettle again.
Council officers, Energy Saving Trust (EST) staff and keen volunteers hit Oxfordshire streets during March to ask residents to Love Food Hate Waste. In return for making a small pledge to reduce their food waste, residents were given some basic kitchen tools to help them. The EST complimented the campaign by offering energy saving tips too.
Everyone who joined the Love Food Hate Waste campaign will shortly be sent a free leftovers recipe book. The first recipe in the book is the winner of a competition run by OWP to find Oxon's best leftovers recipe: Tim Gannaway's Chicken Curry (Tim's pictured below).
Over 1000 people have already made a pledge to get a free cookbook, but the campaign's ongoing and any Oxon residents can still make a pledge.
OWP launched a nappy trial kit for Real Nappy Week 2009 (27th April – 3rd May) to encourage parents to ‘get real’.
OWP provided funding for the kits to be located throughout the county. New parents who would like to give real nappies a try, but are apprehensive about paying for a full set of nappies, can now try them out completely free of charge.
Each kit contains a selection of the most modern styles and brands of nappies, with all the necessary accessories. The kits are loaned out by some of Oxfordshire's existing nappy sellers and will hopefully get more parents using real nappies.
South Oxfordshire District
Didcot – Ladygrove/Earthcare
Didcot – Fleet meadow
Dorchester Low Carbon Group
Thame Environment Group
Wheatley CAG
Woodcote CAG
Wallingford – Sustainable Wallingford
Vale of White Horse
Abingdon Carbon Cutters
Coleshill
Faringdon Waste Watchers
LEN – Longworth and Hinton
Wantage and Grove CAG
Wantage Area Climate Action Group
Don't forget to forward this eNewsletter on to colleagues and if you really must print it out: MAKE IT DOUBLE-SIDED!
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