Researchers at the University of Oxford found that simple menu tweaks can make a big difference in workplace cafeterias.

The study replaced one meat-based lunch option with a vegetarian alternative in six English workplaces and recorded results over seven weeks and more than 26,000 meals.

The likelihood of a customer choosing a vegetarian meal increased by 41 per cent.

Dr Elisa Becker, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, said: “The findings show that small changes to food environments can have a big effect without requiring customers to make extra effort, read labels or use self-control.

“Instead of placing the burden on consumers, we found that simply offering more options that are better for health and the environment, shifts eating behaviour in a healthier and more sustainable direction.”

The study, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, also found that the vegetarian options reduced calories, saturated fat, and salt.

Meals during the trial averaged 26 fewer calories and produced 8.5 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions.

Customer feedback indicated that the change was largely unnoticed.

The study suggests this approach could inform future workplace food policies.

Researchers now hope to run similar trials in other industries and are seeking new partners interested in improving health and sustainability through small, practical changes.

According to the latest government figures, published last month, 56.6 per cent of household waste was recycled, reused or composted in 2024–25, out of a total of 292,738 tonnes of waste.

Of that, 165,694 tonnes were successfully diverted from landfill through recycling, reuse and composting.

Vicky Beechey, manager of the Oxfordshire Resources and Waste Partnership (ORWP), said: “The sustained high performance collectively by Oxfordshire councils is notable, particularly against the backdrop of challenging financial times for everyone.

“To see ORWP partners’ and Oxfordshire residents’ hard work continuing to be reflected in these figures is testament to the commitment of everyone to deliver positive environmental outcomes.

“Our residents deserve congratulations and thanks for all their consistent hard work and commitment in achieving this landmark.

“However, we are certainly not complacent and one area we would like to improve is reducing food waste.”

In England’s two-tier system, county councils are responsible for waste disposal while city and district councils manage kerbside collections.

All of Oxfordshire’s councils placed highly in the national rankings.

South Oxfordshire District Council ranked second out of 197 waste collection authorities, recycling 61.3 per cent of waste.

Vale of White Horse came eighth with 58.9 per cent; West Oxfordshire 16th with 57 per cent; Cherwell 37th with 51.5 per cent; and Oxford City Council 51st with 48.2 per cent.

Ms Beechey said: “ORWP partners recognise that there is more to do to improve reuse, repair, recycling and composting figures.

“We can all take positive action through reducing food waste, keeping items in use for longer and reducing the amount of waste we produce — for the benefit of everyone.”

Ms Beechey said: “Using tools such as the Waste Wizard can really help put the items we have in the right place — whether that’s for reuse, composting or to throw away.”

Residents visiting any of Oxfordshire’s seven household waste recycling centres are reminded that a booking system is now in place.

Bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance, or as little as 30 minutes before your visit, via the Oxfordshire County Council website.

Residents without internet access can book slots over the telephone by contacting the council’s customer service centre on 01865 519800 between 8.45am – 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am – 4pm on Fridays.

Proof of address is required on arrival. This includes things such as a driving licence or recent utility or council tax bill.

Visitors from outside of the county will be charged £15.

A former airbase earmarked for a major housing development is under scrutiny due to high levels of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) ‘forever chemicals’.

These chemicals, which do not breakdown in the environment, accumulate in the body and are linked to cancers, thyroid disease and fertility problems.

A A national-scale preliminary overview study, published in Chemosphere, shows elevated levels in the surface water at the Leys Farm Ditch test site, a tributary of Gallos Brook which is around 4km away from RAF Upper Heyford.

The total PFAS concentrations in surface water reached up to 2,021 nanograms per litre.

Key compounds found at the site include PFOA, a Category 1 carcinogen, PFOS, PFHxS and fluorotelomer sulfonates, which are commonly associated with fire-fighting foams, which would have been used there when the site was operational from 1918 to 1994.

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Despite this, development on the former site is already underway, with 1,200 of a proposed 13,000 homes built over the past 15 years as part of a £5 billion project led by Dorchester Living.

While housing plans have since been reduced, with 9,000 of the homes removed from the government’s new towns scheme, these could still be built if approved by the local planning authority.

A strategic environmental assessment carried out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about the former New Town raised concerns about the proposals.

In it, the Environment Agency suggested the need to remediate contaminated land, where appropriate. Especially, where New Towns are proposed on former airfields where PFAS and other emerging contaminants are likely to be present.

Paul Silver, CEO of Dorchester Living, said: “The brownfield regeneration site has already had extensive remediation works completed including digging over 70 boreholes on site and testing contamination in ground water, and soils using a methodology agreed with the Environment agency and Cherwell District Council.

“As with many airfields, the historic use of the site means that there is potential for legacy contamination.

“This is not unique to Heyford Park and has already been identified in the site’s environmental assessments and Ground Conditions studies.

“These reports confirm that further targeted investigation is appropriate in specific areas. This is standard practice for the regeneration of brownfield sites.

“The regeneration of Heyford Park, through a controlled and regulated planning process, offers far greater environmental protection than leaving the land unmanaged or undeveloped.”

As part of the Government’s first ever PFAS plan, published earlier in February, it plans to develop new technical guidance for dealing with contamination under the planning regime.