AN EDINBURGH-BASED firm which is making reusable bottles from plant-based material has raised nearly £16,500 in a Crowdfunder drive ahead of a planned launch later this year.

S’wheat was founded by Amee Ritchie and Jake Elliott-Hook in the Scottish capital in response to growing concerns over the use of plastics and uses wheat straw and bamboo.

The start-up created S’wheat bottles “as a way to fight plastic pollution and stop single-use plastics from entering our oceans” and that it is “naturally anti-bacterial and anti-odour due to the bamboo and wheat straw so you never have to worry about odour”.

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The firm said: “After 18 months of designing, testing and engineering we are at the final stage of our product production and now we need your help to run our first production line and get S’wheat out into the world.

"We aim to have our pledges delivered in time for Christmas.”

The company, still taking pre-orders, said the bottle opens at both ends to allow cleaning after research revealed a deterrent for reusing plastic bottles was hygiene and washing.

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The firm raised £16,437 with 271 supporters in 30 days in the funding round, which represented more than 50 per cent more than the target.

Ms Ritchie said: “We are completely overwhelmed with the support we have received from our Crowdfunder, this funding will allow us to run our first production run and get our S’wheat Bottles into stores worldwide.”