​With COP26, the United Nations’ global conference on tackling climate change, opening on 31 October, West Oxfordshire District Council is urging residents to compost, recycle or better still reuse their Jack O’lanterns once this year’s Halloween festivities are over to help reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

In Oxfordshire, food waste still accounts for 20% of all waste going into household rubbish bins although it could have been easily recycled.
Councillor Norman MacRae, Cabinet Member for Waste at West Oxfordshire District Council said:
“While West Oxfordshire residents have a high rate of recycling, it is believed that each household in the county will dispose of 120kgs of food that could have been eaten each year.  With Halloween celebrations taking place in just a few days, we want to encourage everyone to use up their pumpkins once the festivities are over to cut down on unnecessary food waste.
“When food goes unused, all the energy invested in its production, throughout the supply chain, is wasted.  COP26 is bringing together world leaders to discuss actions which can be taken to slow down climate change, but there are positive steps we can be taking to help right here at home to help our planet.  With 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions due to food production, making sure we only buy what we need and making the most of any leftovers has never been more vital.”
Some food waste - such as vegetable peelings, bones and eggshells - is unavoidable but can still bring carbon benefits by creating renewable energy if recycled using the District Council’s weekly food waste service. 
West Oxfordshire’s food waste is transported to a local anaerobic digestion facility in Cassington. Once treated, a biogas is created, which is used to produce electricity for the grid to power homes; any residual liquid is used as fertiliser, putting essential nutrients back in the ground so the growing cycle can start all over again.
Residents wishing to recycle their Jack o’ lanterns are reminded to reduce larger pumpkins so that they fit inside the food waste caddy, removing any tea lights and wax first. Home composting is an even better option when it comes to the environment, helping save on transport miles and emissions.
Householders who need a food waste caddy can pick one up from the town centre shop in Welch way or by ordering online at www.westoxon.gov.uk.
For those in need of inspiration on how to use up their leftover pumpkin, the national Love Food Hate Waste campaign has plenty of recipes as well as food storage tips to help food last for longer.  Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for more information.

West Oxfordshire District Council will be hosting a Flood Fair in Witney to inform residents about how to prepare and what to do during a flood.
Last year, parts of the district experienced floods that saw Christmas day disrupted for some residents. Ahead of the winter season this year, the Council is taking a proactive approach to ensure residents are properly informed so that they can manage future flooding events. 
Cllr Norman MacRae, Cabinet Member of Environment for West Oxfordshire District Council said: “This event is part of our campaign on flood awareness in the district this year. We will be providing essential information on what residents should do before, during and after a flooding incident especially for residents who live in areas likely to flood.
“Flooding is caused by so many different elements, and happens in many different places, it means many different agencies are responsible for different aspects of flooding prevention and response. This makes it really difficult to understand who to speak to.
“While as a District Council our only statutory responsibility is to re-home people who are displaced by flooding, we also want to help people prepare and understand how different agencies can help. We have all the relevant organisations at the Flood Fair so residents will be able to speak to who they need to. 
“This is an educational event where we will share the types of floods that can occur and who to contact in the event of any and what type of support each agency or organisation provides. We will also give information on where to find flooding products and other vital resources. This event is not one to miss especially if you live in an area that may have had flooding cases in the past.”
The Flood Fair is open to the public and it will take place in Witney Town Centre on Thursday November 4, 2021 in two sessions from 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 4pm. It will be hosted in the Town Centre Shop on the High street on the corner of High Street and Welch Way. There will be representatives from Oxfordshire County Council, the Environment Agency and Thames Water in attendance.
Through the winter months, a flooding awareness campaign in West Oxfordshire will run to inform and educate residents ahead of, and during, any flooding incidents. 
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