News Update October
Hello CircleUp households!
Thank you for all taking part in the second visits! We are almost finished with those and enjoyed hearing all your updates and circular progress.
New challenges are available
Just to remind you, there are new packaging challenges to check out in the app! Click here to access the app: CircleUp
Spotlight on weighing your waste
One element of the project that seems to be having an impact is weighing your waste. Are you interested some more data behind project trends and to see more about the picture across the wider country?
For example, did you know recycling appears to be the biggest waste category for Wantage residents taking part in the project. And each week, the average person produces food waste equivalent to the weight of around 17 bananas!
You see more and explore how your household compares here: Spotlight on Weighing your Waste
Decoding Plastics
We have had a number of participants ask us questions about plastic recycling and especially the symbols and codes that can be found on items and packaging. We have put together some resources to help you explore this further:
Have you ever wondered what all the recycling codes and symbols on plastic items mean?
Events
We have shared a link to sign up for some upcoming events, and there is still time and space for a few events:
- Sat 10 Oct 11am-12pm – Drop in at the Mix (Sustainable Wantage) to see what goes on & meet the team
- Thursday 29 Oct 9:30am-12:30pm - Down to Earth Cooking with Surplus workshop (limited number of spaces available) FULLY BOOKED
- Tuesday 10 Nov 10am-11:30am – Anaerobic digestor visit (to see where all your food waste goes) A FEW SPACES LEFT
- Tuesday 24 November 7-9pm – Mending Workshop: How to repair holes in jumpers
Sign up for these events here: Sign up for CircleUp events in Oct, Nov & Dec – Fill in form
In the next few weeks, we will also be sharing some more information and a link to register for a repair cafe and stitch clinic hosted at the Mix in Wantage. These events will complement some exciting challenges coming up on the app!
Please also let us know if you any event or workshop ideas you’d like us to host, or if you would like to host an event for CircleUp participants directly.
CircleUp pub trip
We are organising some informal trips to the pub as an opportunity for CircleUp participants to meet each other, chat about the project (or not!) and get to know some new friendly faces in the Wantage and Grove area that are also doing something to reduce waste and be a more circular citizen.
If you are free and want to come along, you can meet CircleUp team member Parky (picture included below so you know who you are looking for!):
- Wednesday 7 October
- Tuesday 20 October
- Wednesday 11 November
The plan is for these to be 7-9pm (or as late as you want) at The Shoulder pub, Wantage, but the location may change if it would suit interested attendees (so let us know if there is somewhere more convenient!)
Let us know you if you are planning to join us, or just come along: CircleUp Pub trip – Fill in form
More from Parky:
Hi I’m Parky (Stephen Parkinson), a researcher at Earthwatch who works on the CircleUp project. I’m also studying for a PhD at the University of Nottingham looking at why people try to waste less. I live in Didcot so I’m relatively local and I’m happy to use this excuse to get to know the pubs of Wantage with your help! Looking forward to meeting some of you soon.
What else is going on?
Craig’s Circular LEGO Swap Group
CircleUp participant Craig has set up a local LEGO buy, sell and swap group, helping enthusiasts give old sets a new life, find their next project and keep LEGO in circulation rather than buying new. The group is open to LEGO fans of all ages, and we know there are quite a few of you in the CircleUp community! If you'd like to join, you can find the group here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C1APNpksQ/
International Repair Day event
Come along to a special event for International Repair Day hosted by Sustainable Wantage on Saturday 17 October 2-5pm.
The event will include a chance to visit a repair cafe or stitch clinic and get help with item repairs such as tool sharpening, clothing repairs, slow running laptops and tablets, other household and electrical repairs (no microwaves)
You don’t need to book, just come along to Grove Methodist Church Hall, Main Street Grove, OX12 7JY.
There is more information here, or contact
Tam updates – Goodbye Jess!
We are sad to let you know that our Material Efficiency Advisor, Jess, has left the team and moved into an exciting new role at the Soil Association. We wish here all the luck in the new role!
We will be joined by a new team member, Michelle, in the next few weeks and she will introduce herself properly once she has settled in!
Keep in the loop
Want to keep in the loop with all things CircleUp? All our newsletters, events and updates are posted here: Wantage in the Loop
Best wishes,
Amiee & Rachel
