A family-owned firm is creating more than 70 jobs by investing £14 million in a recycling plant that can extract glass from mixed rubbish.

Ideal Waste Paper, founded 43 years ago in London, has moved from Bermondsey, south London, to Swanley to spearhead a recycling revolution. Forty-five staff have moved with the firm, but it aims to take on at least 70 new people over the next few months.

The firm hopes to win council contracts for its new facility, claiming that it will save them money, encourage more residents to recycle, and be more environmentally-friendly.

The family-owned business made its name in recycling paper, mainly from commercial printers, but it sees new opportunities in major recycling schemes.

The business was founded by Kenny Thew who worked with son-in-law Simon Scott on the project for five years, and received help from inward investment agency Locate in Kent.

Mr Scott, an engineer, said Kent had not previously had machinery to separate glass from other rubbish. This meant material being transported outside the county for recycling, adding to the carbon footprint.

"We've identified Kent as an area which needs a facility like this and we're hoping the new materials recovery facility will open doors to local authority work."

The new machinery can separate all types of rubbish and process 100,000 tonnes a year.

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