Swap Shops and Waste

Waste Reduction and Swap Shops

What really happens to our rubbish?

August 2019. The Guardian has released an article detailing shocking truths about the waste disposal & recycling industry. From the fact that most of our waste gets shipped off to Europe or Asia for processing, to the fact that of the 8.3bn tonnes of virgin plastic produced worldwide, only 9% gets recycled. Since China banned 24 different types of waste from entering their country at the beginning of 2018, more and more questions have been raised about how we in the west deal with our waste and recycling. The best solution? Don't create so much in the first place. Luckily the tides are starting to turn, with a rise of people using milkmen, reusable cups and a large number of companies exploring how shampoo or drinks can come in reusable packaging. We are lucky in Oxfordshire to have a number of package free shopping options, from SESI Refill, to Waitrose Unpacked , or our numerous farmers markets. Lets keep supporting the growth and development of a culture of reuse and create more innovative ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

Read the full report here:-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish

Above: 9th March 2019: A bright band of merry litter pickers ready to clear the rubbish from the town's pavements and green verges. We collected about 18 bags full of plastic, tins, and cardboard. Thanks to all who came along to protect Woodstock's public spaces from the scourge of litter

And the team from Blenheim also did the town proud. Thanks to them all. Blenheim Rural Manager Rachel Brodie said, "We had a very successful afternoon today and thankfully the sun was shining. There were 31 of us out and we have collected 35 bags of rubbish plus a full back of a gator buggy. We actually went the whole way round from Ditchley Gate to the Woodstock signs."

Video: what happens to rubbish once it is taken away. Local company M&M keep over 90% of the material that arrives on site out of landfill, here’s how: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcl4EiHo5bk

Tips, ideas and suggestions for reducing packaging waste, disposables and plastics in your location

This excellent guide is aimed at small businesses but we, at Sustainable Woodstock, can help spread the message about reducing packaging waste and disposables by making the point whenever we go shopping or out for a coffee. Read more here .....

A Pat on the Back!

Oxfordshire's recycling rates are good. Amongst the best in the UK. This map shows what communities do best (and worst)

Sustainable Woodstock has no Swap Shops planned at the present

Our last Swap shop was Saturday 7th February 2015. We have none planned in the immediate future.

At our Swap Shops we successfully swap electrical items, small furniture, household goods, books, sports equipment, bikes, gardening bits and bobs, flower pots, magazines and toys.
Never throw away your "stuff". Someone will make good use of it. One of our older Swap Shop visitors took away some rolls of wallpaper. Two kind friends from her church came round and put it up for her and she said it looks lovely.
We save upwards of 100 kgs of stuff that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. We also take selected items to the Sue Ryder Charity Shop.
We usually get over 50 visitors signing in from Woodstock, Kidlingtone, Begbroke, Long Hanborough, Witney, Yarnton, Charlbury, Bladon, Duns Tew, and Cassington. Many commented that we should run more, perhaps every six months instead of once a year.

Check out other sustainability groups swap shops at the Community Action Group's website on http://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/

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