Schools and community groups are being urged to help reduce the amount of non-recyclable plastic being sent to landfill.

Colchester Council has written to groups across the town urging them to create “Ecobricks”.

The bricks see an empty plastic bottle tightly packed with non-biodegradable materials to form a “brick”.

They can be joined together using things like silicone and cement to create a range of structures.

These can then be used to build furniture or used in gardening.

In some parts of the world the Ecobricks are even used to build homes.

The council is asking the schools and groups to take part and then share pictures of their creations.

Martin Goss, the council’s waste and environment boss, said: “Through our plastic pledge campaign not only have we encouraged people to think about their own use of single-use plastics, we have led by example by looking at our own use as well.

“As a borough we are among the very best in the country for recycling.

“However, there is so much more all of us can do to help protect the environment.

“There are so many things people can make out of an Ecobrick and I will be fascinated to see how creative our schools and community groups can be.”

The Ecobricks can be stuffed with items which will not biodegrade such as biscuit wrappers, carrier bags, cling film and packing tape.

No paper, glass or sharp objects should be added.

All the items must be clean and dry and people can use a stick to pack the bottles as tightly as possible.

Last year the council launched the Colchester Plastic Pledge as part of a push to improve recycling.

Residents and organisations were invited to make a pledge to reduce their own use of single-use plastics.

The council is also continuing to reach out to and work with organisations to encourage them to offer residents and customers reusable and more environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics.

To find out more about how to make an Ecobrick visit ecobricks.org/how/.

For more information on the Colchester Plastic Pledge see colchester.gov.uk/colplasticpledge.