The project is being run by the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust and will turn waste plastic into products such as keyrings and picture frames.

The hub is located in the trust’s newly refurbished headquarters, a former public toilet on Birnbeck Road, now dubbed the ‘Loo-vre’.

Items produced will be sold to raise funds for the long-term restoration of the Victorian-era Birnbeck Pier.

The scheme was made possible by an £8,000 Sunshine Grant from Burnham and Weston Energy CIC.

The grant funded the purchase of a plastic shredder and injection-moulding machine, which will allow shoreline plastic waste to be transformed into usable products.

Susan Cooke, from the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, said: “The most important part of this project is the educational aspect, and we’re imparting that message through creativity.

“People will hopefully stop and think about the amount of single-use plastic they purchase, and hopefully use less in the future.”

The hub officially opened to the public over the weekend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Weston-super-Mare MP Dan Aldridge and town mayor Cllr Martin Williams.

Mr Aldridge said: “The thing I love about this is that everybody has contributed something, it’s the culmination of years of work going back to before the pandemic.

“Creative people doing creative things is really setting a tone for this area, while being focused on sustainability and education.”

Visitors to the hub were able to see the recycling machinery in action and view artwork displayed inside the building.

Denys Rayner, from Burnham and Weston Energy CIC, said: “It’s great to see projects like this come to life.

“It’s a win-win for the area with the positive benefits this will have on the coastline, and the trust’s ambition to restore the old pier and give the area a real boost.”

Mr Rayner encouraged others to apply for the Sunshine Grant.

He said: “We are still welcoming applications from charities and community organisations in the area.

“If you have an idea for something you would like to seek funding for, please head to our website.”