The community plays a vital role in the Somerset Waste Action Programme. It is really important to us that we reach out to everyone in Somerset to talk to them about the problem of waste in their area and to demonstrate how they can contribute to diverting waste away from landfill. Local groups can take these important messages about the need to reduce, reuse and recycle to every level of their community.

The SWAP team has been venturing out, giving free presentations about the waste issue to Parish Councils, the Women's Institute, the Royal British Legion, and Allotment Associations among others. SWAP has visited over 250 different community groups of all ages in its first 2 years. Youth groups have also played an important part in Waking up to Waste, if you want to know more about our work with Youth groups click on the link below.

There have been many interesting discussions about all the issues and it has been really beneficial for us to meet people with a positive interest in Somerset's waste problem.

Some groups have wanted to take further action to address local needs in their area. Below are some case studies of different schemes that have been set up to help the sustainable management of waste in Somerset.

TIMBER RE-USE COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE SCHEME (TRUCE)

FROME SWAP SHOP

If you wish to embark upon your own project but need the funding to get started please contact us. We have a funding paper which contains both local and national sources of funding.