Okehampton residents have donated mountains of waste plastic for a Devon-wide recycling scheme which will see the plastic used for a waste management company’s recycled plastic furniture range.

Recycle & Raise is an initiative set up by DCW, a South West-based waste management company, which challenges individuals to collect as much waste plastic as possible to be recycled to raise money for the mental health charity Mind and Dartmoor Zoo.

The scheme lasted from November until the end of February during which time members of the community left used plastic confectionary and ice-cream tubs, plastic takeaway containers and plastic milk bottle tops at three drop-off points, Eco Mojo, St James’ Primary School and Okehampton Library, for collection at DCW.

Staff at all three collection points have thanked the members of the community who supported the scheme.

Fran Rickwood, one of the organisers said: ‘Over the last two years, the scheme collected the equivalent of 65,000 tubs from the South West and raised over £5,000 and we look forward to hearing how much is raised this year.’

She added: ‘Taking part in a project like Recycle & Raise highlights how much single-use plastic we use in our everyday lives. When you see all the takeaway containers and confectionary tubs piled high it is astonishing. I think this visual experience highlights the problems of single-use plastic.

‘Some Okehampton residents have now gone one step further and set up the Plastic Free Community Steering Group. As part of its role, the group has worked to raise the profile of the project and encourage residents to donate more than they have done in previous years.