An independent plastic recycling scheme for Newport residents has met with overwhelming support.

Lesley Davey, of Newport's environment group, told a packed meeting at the Memorial Hall last Thursday that, frustrated by the lack of recycling in her area, she and others decided something had to be done.

She said: "We all see the publicity urging us to stop wasting plastic, but we can do nothing.

"It took us 12 months to get to the point where we have a project to offer."

James Kerrison, Planed's recycling officer, was delighted at the enthusiasm for the independent project, which involves bringing plastic bottles, cardboard and other recyclate to the car-park once a month, where a skip will park for two hours while members deposit their waste.

He said: "We have 60 members and we only launched the scheme today, we're on course for 100 by the end of the month. I'm blown away by this meeting' Sonia Jenkins introduced her family business A. J. Recycling, a company committed to developing ethical practice, which is supplying the skip.

Sonia said: "In the UK we are not allowed to use recycled plastic in food packaging, so our milk bottles end up going abroad, and turning into clothing which we buy."

Speaking after the meeting, Vicky Moller said: "The audience was very keen to meet the actual people processing our waste.

"There was 100% take-up of the scheme from those present, and I suspect it will grow so fast we will need a weekly pick-up before long.

"This has left people feeling good, we are meeting one of our needs by working together."

Robbie Manson, of the Newport area environment group, said: "If the council is not willing to roll out the orange bag or provide any plastics recycling the least they can do is allow a skip to be left in our car-park for a day or two so we can fill it.

"I can't believe that is beyond it. Cilgerran and St Dogmaels both have A. J. Recycling skips permanently sited."

Anyone in the Newport area wanting to recycle their plastic items should contact Lesley Davey on 01239 820707.