Ways you can recycle

Green Box Collection - South Oxfordshire District Council provides a weekly kerbside Green Box Collection Scheme, which you can use to recycle paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles, tubs and pots. Visit the South Oxfordshire District Council website for more information.

Clear recycling sacks - You can buy clear recycling sacks from the Council in bundles of 25 for £2.50. You can use these as well as or instead of a green recycling box.

You can also buy clear sacks from the One Stop Shops in Thame, Didcot, Henley and Wallingford, and the Council offices, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh, or from a number of other outlets across the districts.

Recycling banks - there are recycling banks located around the district for the collection of other materials, including glass, bottles, books, cds and clothing.

Waste Recycling Centres (tips/skips/rubbish dump).You can also get rid of household waste by taking it to one of the local Waste Recycling Centres. Visit the South Oxfordshire District Council website for more information

Reducing your rubbish

Reduce

Avoid creating waste.

• avoid over packaged goods
• buy long-lasting goods that are energy efficient
• use a shopping bag rather than plastic carrier bags
• buy concentrated products and refills stop unwanted junk mail by contacting the Mailing
• Preference Service, Freepost 22, London, W1E 7EZ
• use reusable nappies rather than disposable ones. Visit the Real Nappy campaign website
• support recycling by purchasing products that contain recycled material

Re-use

If waste can't be avoided, re-use materials wherever possible.

• re-use shopping carrier bags
• re-use packaging material to send parcels
• re- use empty jars and bottles for storage
• repair clothes and other goods rather than throwing them away
• use the backs of paper to make rough notes, shopping lists or for children's drawings

Recycle

Many waste materials that cannot be avoided or re-used, can be recycled to form new products.

use your kerbside recycling scheme and local recycling banks
home composting is a form of recycling which turns organic waste into a useful garden product .

Useful shopping tips

When you go shopping be aware of the way the products you choose are packaged. Refuse those items that have unnecessary layers of wrapping. Consumer pressure is an effective lobby for changing manufacturers' behaviour.

Don't take a fresh carrier bag every time you go shopping. A bag for life can be re-used at no cost to the environment.

Remember that up to 30% of food bought is not eaten before it goes off. Do you consume everything that you buy?

For a waste reduction pack containing more information, please contact Environmental Services

Garden waste and composting

South Oxfordshire District Council provides a garden waste service with a fortnightly collection from a wheeled bin, for items such as grass cuttings, leaves, branches, weeds and hedge clippings.

Cost

The cost is £30 a year for the service (£28.50 if paid by direct debit).

Bin sizes

There are two sizes of wheeled bin available:

240 litre
140 litre (recommended for people who do not create much garden waste)

To order your garden waste bin and for more information contact South Oxfordshire District Council