BUYING bottles of washing-up liquid could be a thing of the past thanks to a new initiative officially opened by comedian Miles Jupp.

The new ‘eco store’ at Monmouthshire Upcycle in Chepstow will allow people to refill plastic bottles with washing up liquid, multi-surface cleaners, laundry detergent and fabric conditioner from 15- and 25-litre drums.

Monmouthshire Upcycle’s deputy manager, Nadine Jones, said: “Washing up bottles are typically 50 millilitres, meaning that one 25-litre drum can be used to fill 50 bottles – that’s a lot of plastic that won’t need to be recycled.

“Some of our products are coming from local companies who will take the drums back for refilling, which will reduce plastic waste even more.”

The eco-store, which is next to the charity furniture recycling centre in Station Road, Chepstow will also stock eco-friendly soap, shampoo bars, dish-washing loofahs, recycled toilet rolls and bamboo products, none of which will have plastic packaging.

Miles, who lives in Monmouth and is a well-known TV and radio personality, said: “The Blue Planet Two programme showed how important the issue of plastic waste is.

“While national strategies are important, it is local action that will make the real difference and the eco store at Monmouthshire Upcycling is a perfect example of that.”

As well as selling to customers with their own bottles, Monmouthshire Upcycling is asking for empty detergent bottles to be donated to the store in Station Road, Chepstow.