RECYCLING will be the focus of a new group on Oxford’s largest estate to make use of unwanted clutter.

People in Blackbird Leys are launching the estate’s first community action group, a volunteer-run scheme to raise awareness and take action on climate change issues, including waste and carbon reduction.

Their first project will be monthly swap shops, where people can take along unwanted but reusable items and pick up things they want for free.

Moe Scholl, of Three Corners Road, Blackbird Leys, decided to set up the group after realising she wanted to spend her free time more usefully.

She hopes to expand it and encourage residents to consider new ways of recycling, such as growing their own food or setting up wormaries.

Ms Scholl, 59, said: “As I was walking along I would see people throw out things like plastic toys, bikes, coffee tables, sofas and things that can be recycled. I saw a futon base that was practically new.

“A lot of people lead busy lives and don’t have time to give things a lick of paint or sand things down.

“It’s probably because they don’t know what they can do with these things.”

Ms Scholl insists people in Blackbird Leys are concerned about climate change, but they need to know how they can make a difference locally.

She said: “I was really surprised how concerned people were. They thought climate change was the natural pattern of the E0arth, but I think people do want to know more about it.

“A lot of people think there’s nothing they can do.

“We want people to come and recycle things and not leave them in the back of the cupboard.

“People might think a swap shop is a mad idea, but I like the social glue of the swap shop, it’s a shared resource.

“People can come into the hall and swap anything from curtains to lawn mowers. It creates a social space for people to support each other.”

The Blackbird Leys Swap Shop takes place on Friday at The Barn, Blackbird Leys, between 2pm and 4pm, and again on Saturday, January 23, at the Glow Hall at the Community Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, between 11pm and 2pm.

Ms Scholl, a mother-of-one, is looking for new members for the community action group.

To get involved call her on 07879 044144.