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Canalside Environment Group

The story so far...

The Canalside Environment Group was formed in November 2005 and includes the Waterways, Waterside and Aristotle Lane estates; they all lie along the side of the Oxford Canal, in North Oxford.

The aim of the group is to promote sustainable lifestyles in the local area and help develop a sense of community on our new estates.

With all our events we actively encourage newcomers to take an active role. We have grown from an initial meeting of 6 people to a community action group with a mailing list of approx 80 in March 08.

The group covers 3 quite different housing estates, which have in common the fact that they are new and therefore still seeking to develop a sense of community within each estate.

The group is inclusive to all on the estates including owners, private renters and housing association tenants. It has also included the local primary school, which also lies on the canal.

Limited funding is available to continue this project into the future from the Community Action Group Project in Oxfordshire.

Aim

To promote the sustainable use of resources in our community lying along side the Canal in North Oxford.

Objectives

To decrease the amount of waste generated by households through the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle' message.
To increase participation in composting activities.
To promote the sustainable use of resources.
To promote awareness of our local environment.
Seek to sustain recruitment of members.

Activities

Raise the awareness of waste reduction issues within the community. For example participate in road shows & public events; publish newsletter articles.
Seek opportunities to increase the knowledge of members on resource issues.
Seek opportunities to increase the knowledge of the community on resource issues. For example notice board posters, awareness raising events, flyers
Enhancement of existing services. For example set up collections for specific small scale materials such as milk tops, mobile phones, ink cartridges, etc
Create and maintain links with other local groups and organisations. For example Residents Associations on Waterways, Aristotle Lane and Waterside estates, schools, local authorities etc.,

Activities/events:

It is suggested that each activity hosted by the group have an activity/event leader and support members to coordinate and deliver activity/event.

Events our group has run include:

January 06 and 07- Christmas tree shredding in two locations. Residents encouraged to take 'chippings' back to their garden for mulch with the remainder left for the local allotment holders. City Council officers came to promote recycling facilities.

March 06 and 07 - Two Swap Shops held as part of a countywide event. Both kerbside swapping and 2 central locations allowed residents in both houses and apartments to participate.

April 06 and 07- litter picking Waterways and Waterside. 2006 included a composting workshop to encourage residents to start composting in their own gardens.

June 06 - Installed a household battery recycling box at the local primary school. Almost 5000 batteries now collected.

June 06 - Local Food Sourcing Leaflet produced

September 06 - Tetrapac collection

Oct 06 - Swap Shop

Nov 06 - Youth CEG Swap Shop

June 06 and 07 - Wildlife Event - to help residents learn more about the wildlife in their area.

April 07 - O' On Your Bike' cycle promotion event at Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground and Solar Walkabout.

May 07 - Packaging reduction campaign outside Mark and Spencer in Summertown

July 07 - CEG jute bag produced

Aug 07 - Wildlife Garden walkabout

Oct 07 - swap shop

Jan 08 - Carbon Footprint talk & calculation