An environmental campaign, hoping to reduce plastic waste in the landscape, has held its first workshop.

Landowner and environmentalist Jane Lloyd Francis spearheaded the campaign. She said: “I am campaigning to reduce plastic in the landscape and one of the things that I see most is empty mineral lick buckets nestling in streams and ditches, and mileage wrap.

“I think the most effective way forward is to instigate a conversation between the manufacturers, the suppliers, the farmers and the Welsh Government.

“Farmers are disincentivised by having to pay hefty fees for recycling and struggle with weather conditions, as the time of the year when sheep need supplements most often is the windiest, wettest time of the year.”

Jane teamed up with growing organisation Mach Maethlon and held a container-growing workshop, with collected tubs, in Machynlleth on 15 May. Ali Murfitt organised the workshop for Mach Maethlon - their first event for a year.

Jane hopes to hold another event in Aberystwyth in the near future.

Attendees gathered at the Living Table outside Y Plas, Machynlleth, and horticulturalist with Tanyllyn Nurseries, Callum Johnston, helped them transform the “rather ugly” mineral lick buckets into something “pleasing and productive”.

“Empty buckets were collected by volunteers from the landscape and also donated by local farmers. Plants and compost were donated by Mach Maethlon and Callum Johnston,” Jane added.

“First Callum showed us how to paint the buckets, stencil them and add an attractive rope handle.

“Then on to the preparation, drilling drainage holes low down on the sides of the buckets, lining the buckets with sheep’s wool or moss, if you have it, and birch twigs to provide drainage and aeration.

“Continuing with good quality peat-free compost, Callum then demonstrated how to sew seeds, then how to make an attractive herb display and finally how to successfully plant salads and vegetables.

“It was a really inspiring morning making something positive of the problem of plastic waste in the landscape.

“The participants added to the success of the morning, delighted to take home mini gardens.

“The event was a real team community effort.”

Jane spoke to the Cambrian News, earlier this month, about the campaign. She said: “I’m thinking, in a fairly organic way, that if farmers are aware of it and talk to the suppliers and say ‘I would like to see this changed’, then maybe suppliers might put pressure on the manufacturers.”