The remains of a plastic recycling plant that was destroyed by a huge fire are being demolished in a five-week clearance operation.

Recycler Capital Valley Plastics at the Kays and Kears Industrial Estate in Blaenavon was so badly damaged by the September 4 blaze that none of the building is salvageable.

More than 60 firefighters using 14 appliances fought through the night to bring the fire under control after 600 tonnes of waste plastic ignited, spreading choking smoke through the nearby community.

J Kennedy Demolition Ltd has started clearing the site, which includes tangled and burnt machinery and forklifts, plastic discs, rubble and metal before tackling the remains of the building.

Torfaen Council has been working with the company since 2019 to recycle flexible soft plastic items such as plastic bags, bubble wrap and food wrappers.

The firm, which employed 95 people last year, makes plastic membranes for the construction and packaging industries, collecting scrap polythene from more than 100 businesses and organisations.

The plant housed a recycling plant producing plastic pellets, and it is thought the buildings which caught fire stored the plastic for recycling.

Collections from 14 soft plastic collection points are currently suspended, but the company says it is hoping to rebuild and restart their recycling operation as soon as possible.

Councillor Mandy Owen, Torfaen Council executive member for environment, said: “Our thoughts go out to Capital Valley Plastics and their employees who have been affected by this terrible incident.

“The partnership between Torfaen Council and Capital Valleys Plastics to reduce the amount of non-recyclable plastic going to landfill has been very successful and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

Daisy Edwards, sustainability project manager at Capital Valley Plastics, added: “We are overwhelmed with all the well wishes and support we have received since the devastating fire at our site on Kays and Kears industrial estate.

“We want to thank everyone for their support and patience during these difficult times. We are keen to recommence the recycling scheme as soon as possible and will strive to get back to doing what we love which is helping to protect our environment by recycling stretchy plastic.”

Flames could be seen reaching high into the air above Blaenavon after the blaze began around 9.40pm on Saturday, September 4.

A South Wales Fire and Rescue spokesperson said at the time: “At 9.39pm on Saturday, September 4, we responded to reports of a large scale fire at a recycling plant in Kays and Kears Industrial Estate, Blaenavon.

“Firefighters were deployed to the scene to tackle the fire involving approximately 600 tonnes of recycled plastics.

“Due to the scale of the fire, the materials alight continued to smoulder and crews worked in partnership to strategise and decide a course of action.

“A range of specialist equipment including aerial ladder platforms, high volume pumps and numerous fire appliances were utilised to help tackle the fire and secure the area.

“In partnership with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Gwent Police and Public Health Wales (PHW) our crews worked together to reduce the risk to the environment.

“A stop message was received at 12.24pm on September 5 and it was confirmed that the fire had been extinguished.”