Exploring Oxford’s Recycling Efforts and Impact
In 2019-2020, 9.17% of the recycling collected from blue bins and clear sacks in Oxford consisted of things that can’t be recycled because of mixed recycling. As a city committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, Oxford has implemented several recycling initiatives in recent years to encourage its residents to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible. The City Council has been actively promoting and supporting recycling efforts.
Waste Collections and Recycling Centres
Oxford’s City Council is responsible for waste collection in the city. The council provides weekly waste collections, and the waste is sorted and processed at local recycling centres. Oxford has several recycling centres that allow residents to recycle a range of items, including paper, card, glass, mixed recycling, and small electricals. The City Council also provides a free “Waste Wizard” tool that enables residents to check what they can and cannot recycle.
Oxfordshire Waste Wizard
Oxfordshire’s Waste Wizard is an innovative tool where you can enter your postcode and find out how you can reuse or recycle waste. You are then able to look up your item and find out if it can be recycled, if others could use it, or other ways you can repair, reuse or recycle household items at repair cafes. This may include small electrical items, toys, furniture and various other household waste.
The Waste wizard
Community Action Groups
There are also groups throughout Oxford dedicated to helping prevent unnecessary waste. There is a network of over 100 community action groups working to make Oxford a sustainable, greener location. The events range from repair cafes to producing community gardens together.
The repair cafes are organised by volunteers who attempt to fix items from the community that would otherwise be thrown away. This helps to reuse products and remove them from bins where they may otherwise end up in landfills.
Oxford University Recycling Initiatives
Since 2014, 100% of waste through the universities main waste contract has been diverted from landfill. The university is boosting sustainability through various recycling initiatives, including increasing the reuse of materials through WARPit. They are also monitoring and measuring waste production to ensure the highest recycling rates are met.
Oxfordshire’s Resources and Waste Strategy:
“Our vision is for everyone in Oxfordshire, residents and businesses, to take ownership for the waste they generate. We want to work together to ensure items and materials are seen as a valuable resource to be used again, recycled for further manufacturing or sent for energy recovery”.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- In 2019-2020, 9.17% of the recycling collected from blue bins and clear sacks in Oxford consisted of things that can’t be recycled.
- Oxfordshire provides an innovative tool called Waste Wizard.
- Oxford offers various action groups including repair cafes.
We Recycle Waste For Businesses In Oxford
At Plastic Expert, we provide cardboard and plastic recycling in the Oxford area. Our team collects bulk loads of these materials from businesses, allowing them to sustainably dispose of waste. Get in touch today if you are looking for a recycling service that is cost-effective and efficient.
