The CAG is part of a wider voluntary community group looking at other issues which affect the sustainability of Wallingford
They have a great website: www.sustainablewallingford.org
The Waste action group and other parts of Sustainable Wallingford have carried out various events and initiatives to support waste awareness and reduction in their community: Swap Shops/collection days, 'buy local' guide, etc.
SwapShops
SwapShops (or bring and takes) have been regularly run in Wallingford since 2003 by the Waste Action Group. The local hall (the Regal Centre) is hired for the morning. Unwanted but usable goods which would otherwise be destined for the bin and ultimately landfilled are brought along by local residents and are then free to be taken away to a good home. Any items left over are passed on to local charity shops or recycled. Items too large to bring along can be advertised on a board.
The items that are taken away are weighed by the group so they know how much has been re-used thanks to their hard work; the total amount since the events started is now over 15 tonnes.
The group also collect items for recycling which are difficult to recycle through normal collection services: mobile phones, fluorescent light tubes,low energy bulbs, cassettes, CDs and DVDs. In the past they have collected other items but, partly thanks to their efforts, most of these can now be recycled by other routes.
Please do not bring hazardous items, clothes (these can be taken to charity shops or clothes banks), or junk that no-one will want. Mains electrical items must be portable, in working order and equipped with all necessary leads, and have a CE mark.
More helpers for Swap Shops and other Sustainable Wallingford activities are always useful. Please contact the group if you would like to get involved.
Would anyone with an interest in SusWal and its associated activities like to volunteer to help at the Local Producers' market, held on Saturday mornings in the Regal Centre www.wallingfordlocalproducersmarket.com? If so, please contact Caron on 01491 825034.
For further information:
Email Sustainable Wallingford
Website: www.sustainablewallingford.org
