Ruth Mayne from Low Carbon West Oxford, (LCWO) told the group how three different groups within the area had successfully amalgamated to form LCWO, while retaining activities such as waste reduction, a local food programme and transport they were working together on a much bigger project, the Big Green Challenge.LCWO wants to generate electricity by using solar panels and they are also looking at the possibility of generating electricity from a micro-hydro project at Osney Weir.
Mark Stevenson said that a year ago he had felt like a lone voice in Dorchester, but once he met Laura who knew many people, especially young mums, the group went from strength to strength. They now run regular swap shops, an eco detergent refilling station, produced a reusable bag, have virtually completed a door to door campaign and are now looking at renewable energy sources.
Phil Cox gave an out line of how Wantage and Grove "plastic not fantastic" had formed and their efforts to encourage people in Wantage and Grove to use their reusable bags.
Christine Elliot from Charlbury Area Waste Action Group, one of the longest running CAGs outlined their achievements, which include, an A-Z of recycling in Charlbury area, swap shops, light bulb library, eco-book library, green waste, tetrapak and battery collections and their latest project, share croppers. They had managed to divert over 2 tonnes of fruit during the season. Christine was very keen that people reduce their dependence on paper products and recycle as much as possible.
CAG members enjoyed a delicious meal supplied by Global Deli while sharing their ideas for CAG activities and events.