Exeter-based Pennon Group plc — the parent company of Viridor, the UK’s largest recycling company — has announced a ground-breaking project that will use the electricity created from non-recyclable waste at its £252 million energy recovery facility at Avonmouth to power a new £65 million plastics recycling plant.

The multi-polymer plant will initially produce 60KTPA (kilo-tonnes per annum) of recycled plastic from 1.6 billion bottles, pots, tubs and trays.

CEO Chris Loughlin said (www.pennon-group.co.uk): “Pennon is dedicated to working in ever more sustainable ways, and we are excited to be announcing this ‘first of a kind’ investment in plastics recycling.

"By using waste that cannot be recycled as the fuel to create low-carbon electricity to power plastics recycling, we are creating a truly resource- and energy-efficient waste management solution.

"There is a clear ambition from both UK consumers and politicians to improve recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to export. Our research shows that 80% of people believe the UK should find a way to deal with its own recycling, without having to ship it to other countries.”

Sarah Heald, Pennon’s director of corporate affairs, said: “This is an extremely important investment for the South West.

“It will create a centre of excellence for UK recycling, showcasing leading-edge innovation and technology, and bringing knock-on benefits to the regional economy.”