So, I have moved from bustling Central London to a rural location and started working towards a zero waste policy. It's difficult, hard work and it's costing me a bit more than I care to think about but I'm certainly starting to feel the benefits. For example, my new place is heated by two wood burning stoves. Unlike central heating, they require regular tending and fuel needs to be stock-piled, stored and brought into the house on a daily basis. The wood I use is predominantly sourced as 'free-to-collector' off-cuts from a local timber merchant. It involves two short half hour trips a week but hey, its free and resourceful and I feel that perhaps I'm doing the planet a favour. I know there are probably many more ways in which I could reduce waste - in particular emissions - but I think when you're starting out, its important to do what you can and to share ideas. Maybe you're trying the same thing? Please do get in touch if you are!

My desire to reduce waste lead me to become an active member of the GO ZERO campaign in Chew Magna, Somerset. This is a fantastic project and one I think many, many more village communities should adopt. The campaign was originally started as a result of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Zero Waste Coffee House challenge and recently GO ZERO picked up an award for its achievements since 2004. Raising awareness of issues of waste management and sustainable living and enabling people to make a difference on a local level are the goals of the campaign and with over 1100 residents already signed up to the project, the future looks greener for Chew Magna. A recent open day in the village (October 8th) was extremely well attended and inundated with people desperate to know how they can make a difference.

At the open day, I was invited to come and talk about my experiences on the 'Green Valley' and how we can learn to, through studying the past, create a greener future for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. One of the main features of the day was the Big Local Food Debate, a discussion that got local consumers, food manufacturers, farmers and retailers round the table to discuss how they could all come together to work towards a local and environmentally friendly solution to food production.

Barney Haughton, the well-known organic restaurateur, sponsored the GO ZERO Local Food Guide which was launched at the open day. As Denise Perrin, the coordinator of the event, says, "Our aim was to produce a simple guide to what is on offer within a 10 mile radius of our village. We have the beginnings of a partnership which brings consumers and providers closer together. It benefits us all if we can support our local farmers and growers while offering more choice for customers.”

One key area of development for the GO ZERO campaign is the regeneration of the Old Mill as a headquarters for the project. Closed in 1991, the mill has lay dormant since and is long overdue a new lease of life. And what an ideal role for a building with its own free source of energy! There are many ideas for the mill amongst them an educational and community resource centre with workshops or 'hubs' for local environmentally-friendly businesses.

All in all, the GO ZERO campaign has got off to a great start with many, many more ideas and events in the pipeline. For more information on the project visit:

GO ZERO website

GO ZERO blog site

Chew Magna GO ZERO day

Alex is a member of the local Green Party and stood as a candidate for district councellor in the Salisbury District.

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