Oxfordshire is among six new ‘Zero Waste Places’ for England to move towards becoming a zero waste nation.

The venues, announced by environment secretary Hilary Benn, were chosen to demonstrate how to reduce waste at home, work, school and in the community.

The six new Zero Waste Places are Dorchester, south Oxfordshire, Brixton, Newham, Hoxton, Shropshire and Suffolk.

In Oxfordshire a project in Dorchester on Thames is led by community group the Dorchester Carbon Project.

Initiatives include business waste audits, “make do and mend” monthly workshops, recycling stations and regular village “swap shops”.

Targets include a 100 per cent recycling rate for the local primary school and encouraging at least 40 per cent of residents to sign up to a mailing preference service to reduce junk mail.