Exeter recycling project earns rare royal attention at Buckingham Palace

Work being carried out in Exeter to transform waste plastic recovered from the ocean into useful everyday products has received royal recognition.

Matt Hulland, Exeter City Council’s Resource Recovery Manager, travelled to St James’s Palace this week to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla and discuss the innovative recycling initiatives taking place in the city.

Mr Hulland was invited as part of a special audience for local government figures whose work is considered to have made a significant impact on communities and the environment.

At the centre of the project is Exeter City Council’s Materials Reclamation Facility (MRF), which for several years has played a key role in recycling so-called “ghost gear” – abandoned fishing nets and other plastics collected from beaches and coastal waters.

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The scheme is run in partnership with Odyssey Innovation through its Net Regeneration and Marine Regeneration programmes. 

Under the initiative, discarded fishing equipment recovered from ports and harbours around the UK is brought to Exeter, where it is processed and prepared for reuse.

Once at the MRF, the nets are shredded and cleaned before being sent on for remodelling into new products. 

The recycled material has been turned into items including plant pots, kayaks, surfboards, storage boxes and reusable cups.

The project has attracted national attention and has been shortlisted for, and won, a number of environmental awards in recent years.

During his visit to the palace, Mr Hulland spoke directly with the King about the council’s work.

“I spoke briefly with King Charles about Exeter’s involvement in community projects in Devon, across the Duchy and Wales around ocean plastic pollution and how we turn those plastics into new goods,” he said.

“He said ‘marvellous’, shook my hand and said that it is important we protect our seas and ocean and work to that end is vital.”

As well as the ocean plastics scheme, Mr Hulland also highlighted the Cans4City initiative – a partnership between Exeter City Council, Exeter City Football Club and Exeter City Community Trust which encourages residents to recycle drink cans.

Councillor Ruth Williams, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for City Management, welcomed the royal acknowledgement.

“Matt has been a key driver of these environmental initiatives and it’s wonderful that his work and the work of the Council has received recognition of the highest order,” she said.

The council says it plans to continue expanding its recycling partnerships and exploring new ways to reduce waste and support environmental projects both locally and nationally.