ECO-CONSCIOUS home improvers in Colchester have helped recycle the equivalent of 30 million plastic straws... by having their driveways resurfaced.

Oltco Colchester has been leading the way in the implementation of the firm's Recycle Bound technology, which uses waste plastic to create brand-spanking new resin driveways for customers up and down the country.

Since the technology launched a year ago, it has recycled the equivalent of 30 million plastic straws nationwide.

Liam Dorian launched the Colchester franchise of the firm last summer and has since installed the technology for customers in Colchester and Tendring.

He said: "Recycle Bound has been hugely successful and we are grateful for all the individuals, and companies based in Colchester, who have come on board in a bid to help us tackle the global issue of plastic waste.

"We are proud to have already installed Recycle Bound in areas including Colchester, Tiptree and Clacton.”

The Recycle Bound product took two years to develop and uses the equivalent of 3,000 plastic straws over each square metre of driveway, meaning on a standard 50 square metre drive, the equivalent of 150,000 plastic straws would be recycled in the process.

It is already winning serious praise in the environmentally-friendly business world, including being named runner up for Recycled Product of the Year in the National Recycling Awards.

Commercial firms are now taking notice and it has been used on large scale projects such as hotels and visitor attractions across the country.

Tom Stringer, Oltco's co-director, said: "We have been thrilled by the response to Recycle Bound.

"Every member of our team has fully embraced it and it has proved hugely popular with our customers, both residential and commercial.

"The number of customers who are asking for it to be used on their driveways, patios and paths is growing all the time."

He added: "It is a totally awesome product which is hard wearing and will last for years and helps rid the world of some of the plastic waste.”

Visit oltco.co.uk to find out more.