The first advanced recycling plant in England that can handle nearly all plastics could be in Swindon.

Recycling Technologies in South Marston is in discussions with Swindon Borough Council and its fuel-from-waste company Public Power Solutions about building the new plant in the borough.

It would use the company’s technology to create an advanced plastics recycling facility capable of handling nearly all plastic.

The company has developed a new technology that takes plastics, even such previously unrecyclable items like film, laminated food pouches and crisp packets and turns them into an oil it calls Plaxx, from which new plastics can be made.

Councillor Maureen Penny, council cabinet member for highways and the environment, said: “I'm delighted Recycling Technologies is working with PPS to develop this exciting plastic recycling technology in Swindon.

"We are currently developing future action plans on how we manage our waste as part of our recently-adopted 10-year waste strategy.”

Recycling Technologies chief executive Adrian Griffiths added: “We are delighted that Swindon, the home of our manufacturing facility and HQ, is hoping to also be the home of England’s first aPRF, which includes our RT7000 feedstock recycling machine.

“There is an urgent need for more plastic recycling capacity in the UK, not only to stem the flow of plastics into landfill and our environment, but to create jobs and boost economic prosperity across the region.”

Swindon Borough Council received publicity and criticism when it announced it was thinking about suspending plastics recycling in the borough over concerns that material was just being shipped abroad and dumped, although it has decided against that plan.

By law it has to increase its recycling rate which has fallen byto 38 per cent.

Swindon’s advanced plant would be the second in the UK after one slated to be built in Scotland this year.