CAG Project - something for Churches?

The CAG project has been approached by Ruth Conway of SS Mary and John Church, in the Cowley Road, Oxford to see if church groups could be more active in the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. We would like to explore how church congregations could work along side CAGs , borrowing their expertise and experience. Many churches are part of eco-congregation which aims to encourage churches to consider environmental issues within a Christian context and enable local churches to make a positive contribution. Many have churchyard projects, as does SS Mary and John to have a wildflower remembrance garden, and create habitat for wildlife.

Ruth wants to expand church members’ activities, and start ‘green groups’. Selly Oak in Birmingham have a green group that have been active for about ten years and involved in many projects including; car share/hire scheme, cycling, raising awareness of carbon reduction, and encouraging growing your own – all things that CAGs do! In their entrance to the Church they have a “Green Machine”. This is a collection point for recycling about 14 items, items that are not currently collected by their Council but things that could be useful to other people. This seems a great idea, if every church in Oxfordshire had a group of people responsible for dealing with the collected items, much more could be reused or recycle. CAGs are being asked to share their local knowledge and suggest items that could be collected, that have a use. For instance the Selly Oak group collect knitting wool to be distributed to housebound people who knit for Oxfam – is there such a group of people here in Oxford , knitting for Oxfam?

What do CAGs collect and what do they do with the items? Is there use for?:

· used stamps
· spectacle
· used envelopes
· foil
· printer cartridges
· mobile phones
· Other suggestions and outlets for disposal please………


Please send your ideas to me by the 26th May so that I can collate them all together when I get back from holiday and then take this further. We will share your ideas and what to do with such items with all the CAGs , possibly with a leaflet, but certainly on the website.


If you have not yet seen the new look CAG website, do have a look and sign up as a member. www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk


Frances Buckel | CAG Project Officer

resourcefutures

c/o Waste Management Group|Oxfordshire County Council | Speedwell House| Speedwell St|Oxford OX1 1NE
Mob 07903 037290|Tel +44 (0)1865 815871| Fax +44 (0)1865 815787| www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk