Please check it before you chuck it!

Keep an eye out for a sticker which will appear on your recycling bin soon encouraging you to ‘Check it before you chuck it.’

Every week thousands of the wrong items end up in our recycling bins by mistake. It can be very difficult to remove non-recyclable items and, if it’s food waste or other messy items then it could result in whole truckloads of recycling being contaminated and rejected.

We all need an occasional reminder to ensure we get it right, so we’re encouraging everyone to check our website before you throw things away.

Even if the label says that something can be recycled, you should still check to make sure – recycling labels on packaging are often incorrect and we may not be able to recycle that item locally.

By ensuring you only put the correct items in your recycling bin, you will play your part in helping to keep us among the top recyclers in the country!

To find out more, visit southandvale.gov.uk/checkit

Voter registration checks

This month, all households should have received a letter requiring you to check the voter registration details of everyone over the age of 16 living there.

We have to send this letter to all homes each year to ensure the electoral register is up to date.

When you receive it, please read the letter carefully and, if you are required to either confirm or update your details, please do so as quickly as possible – this will help to ensure we won’t need to contact you again to confirm the information.

To find out more, visit our page on checking your voter registration.

Could you become a tree guardian?

Oxfordshire County Council is planning to plant thousands of trees on public land across Oxfordshire with hundreds having already been planted. Now they need help to take care of the young trees, which need daily watering and regular weeding in spring and summer to help them establish and thrive.

To find out about becoming a tree guardian for a community tree near you see the Climate Action website. If you’d like to find your nearest community tree, get some advice, or just let the Tree Service know that a tree is being cared for then get in touch with them at tree.planting@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Other News

Back to school, back to creative classes at Cornerstone Arts Centre

As school returns, so do the after-school classes and brand-new sessions for toddlers at Cornerstone Arts Centre.

Young artists in school years 1-6 can dive into creative chaos with Mess Makers, while those in school years 1-9 with a passion for the stage or dance can explore their talents through Youth Theatre or Street Dance. If your young person wants to give the class a whirl before signing up, simply reach out to Cornerstone's Box Office team to arrange a free taster session.

For toddlers, Cornerstone is offering two exciting weekly classes. Baby Boppers brings a mix of sensory play and dance, while Story Time with Laura is all about drama, songs, and immersive storytelling.

You can sign up at any time, even after the term has already begun. For further details visit the Cornerstone website or pop in and speak to the Box Office Team.