ODS is proud to support Cherwell Collective, a community-led organisation working to reduce food waste and improve access to surplus food across Oxfordshire, by providing free bins and waste disposal.
The support helps address the sharp rise in food waste that typically occurs over the Christmas and New Year period, when surplus and unsold food levels are at their highest.
Christmas is a time of generosity and shared meals, but it is also one of the most wasteful times of year. An estimated 42 million dishes worth of Christmas food are wasted annually in the UK, with around 60% of consumers buying more food than they need. Each year this results in millions of festive food items being thrown away, contributing to avoidable environmental impact and unnecessary cost.
Cherwell Collective’s midday mass distribution events intercepted surplus food that would otherwise have gone to waste, redistributing it directly to local communities at a time when demand for support is particularly high.
ODS supported Cherwell Collective at Barton Community Centre in Headington, between 27 December and 3 January, and at WISH, at The Parade in Kidlington, from 5 until 8 January.
At both sites, ODS provided suitable bins and disposal services free of charge, supporting the safe and responsible management of any unavoidable waste generated during the events and helping to keep the locations clean, compliant and welcoming for volunteers and attendees.
Comments
“Community-led initiatives like Cherwell Collective play a vital role in tackling food waste while supporting people when they need it most. ODS’s support during the Christmas period is a great example of how practical collaboration can reduce environmental impact, strengthen local resilience and make sure good food doesn’t go to waste.”
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies“Food waste increases dramatically over the Christmas period, with the environmental and social impacts felt long after the celebrations end. Supporting Cherwell Collective at Barton and Kidlington is a practical way for us to deliver on our social value commitments — reducing waste, cutting carbon and supporting local communities. Providing bins and disposal free of charge helps ensure these important events can focus on redistributing surplus food where it’s needed most.”
Ben Dudley, Commercial Director at ODS
Reducing food waste also plays a key role in tackling climate change. Wasted food from UK households is responsible for around 16 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, while the average family of four loses up to £1,000 annually through edible food being thrown away.
ODS’s support for these events complements its wider work with local authorities and partners to reduce food waste, improve recycling and support Oxfordshire’s environmental goals, particularly during high-impact periods such as Christmas.
This partnership reflects ODS’s broader social value programme, which focuses on protecting the environment, supporting communities and delivering long-term positive impact across the region.
For more information about ODS and its social value commitments, visit the ODS website.
For more details about the Cherwell Collective events, visit their website.
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