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Soft plastic collections in Torfaen suspended following fire

Soft plastic recycling has been suspended in Torfaen following a “devastating fire” at the Capital Valley Plastics site in Blaenavon.

SWFRS says the fire at Capital Valley Plastics' site involved approximately 600 tonnes of recycled plastics (picture: South Wales Fire and Rescue Service)

Torfaen council has been working with the company since 2019 to recycle flexible soft plastic items such as plastic bags, bubble wrap and food wrappers.

The fire, which broke out on 4 September affected “large sections” of the company’s plant, meaning collections from 14 soft plastic collection points have been suspended.

At the recycling site, Capital Valley Plastics collect and turn the non-recyclable material into products for the building industry. Twenty-six tons of stretchy plastic has been recycled in Torfaen since the project began.

Councillor Mandy Owen, executive member for environment, said: “Our thoughts go out to Capital Valley Plastics and their employees who have been affected by this terrible incident.

“The partnership between Torfaen Council and Capital Valleys Plastics to reduce the amount on non-recyclable plastic going to landfill has been very successful and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

Fire

The fire involved approximately 600 tonnes of recovered plastic at the Blaenavon site. Crews from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Gwent Police, Public Health Wales and the fire service worked together using a range of specialist equipment including aerial ladder platforms, high volume pumps and several fire engines to tackle the smouldering material.

‘Overwhelmed’

Daisy Edwards, sustainability project manager at Capital Valley Plastics, added: “We are overwhelmed with all the well wishes and support we have received in the last week since the devastating fire at our site on Kays and Kears industrial estate.

“We want to thank everyone for their support and patience during these difficult times. We are keen to recommence the recycling scheme as soon as possible and will strive to get back to doing what we love which is helping to protect our environment by recycling stretchy plastic.”

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