Sustainable Wantage is a Community Action Group (CAG), part of a network of over 100 similar CAGs across Oxfordshire, focused on activities that protect and enhance our natural environment and strengthen our local community. We are run by volunteers interested in actions that have a positive impact and increase our resourcefulness and resilience as a community. Our current projects are focused on Food, Biodiversity, Waste reduction and Energy.
The Mix Community Space on Mill Street is our home in Wantage town centre. We are open for the Community Fridge, Library of Things, and refills of toiletries & detergents and collections of hard-to-recycle waste streams. We run workshops and courses (check our Events page for what’s coming up) and a monthly Repair Cafe.
Food
We distribute surplus food through our Community Fridge and Community Larder, and grow fruit and veg at the Market Garden. We also have fruit and nut trees at Millbrook Community Plot, where anyone is welcome to help themselves to produce.
Biodiversity
Our Wild Wantage project aims to enhance our green spaces, promoting biodiversity of local species. As well as running work parties (see Events page ) we manage Pewit Woodland and other Growing Projects. The Market Garden is also run with biodiversity in mind. We are working to create a network of nature rich sites of all sizes, and encourage everyone in the community to get involved by taking action at home.
Waste reduction
We work to reduce waste through sharing, repairing, re-using and refilling. The Library of Things has a variety of items available to borrow, reducing the need for individual ownership. Volunteer fixers are able to help with household items at our monthly Repair Cafe, we also refurbish bikes and have a collection point for laptops, tablets and phones which are refurbished through Getting Oxfordshire Online. We have a refill station at The Mix and you can find lots of other waste reduction opportunities around Wantage on our re-use, repair and recycle map.
Energy
Our Draughtbusters team help reduce energy loss from homes by assessing and fixing draughts, helping people feel warmer and spend less money on heating. We’re putting together a Solar project, and we are part of Wantage and Grove Active Travel group.