A paper mill was the final stop on the Prince of Wales’ tour of Cumbria.

Prince Charles was treated to a look around Burneside’s James Cropper factory, learning how the eco-conscious company recycles takeaway coffee cups into high quality paper and plastic-free packaging.

He was joined on the tour by a number of other dignitaries, including Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron and Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria Claire Hensman.

The prince saw the mill’s process from start to finish, from stacks of used coffee cups on a conveyor belt to the completed COLOURFORM packaging product.

Richard Bracewell, marketing director for James Cropper, said: “The Queen came in 2013 to open Upcycling and I think it’s a real honour to have Prince Charles at the COLOURFORM plant.”

His visit coincided with a group of cross-sector experts and leaders meeting as part of the Business in the Community Seeing is Believing programme.

His Royal Highness joined a round table discussion with the BITC group to learn what more businesses can do to create value from waste.

Chairman Mark Cropper, who walked with Prince Charles for the majority of the tour, spent time explaining the company’s commitment to the environment, highlighting the use of both solar and hydro power on site.

And the prince dedicated large amounts of his visit talking to excited staff members who had lined up to catch a glimpse of the special guest. Sales manager Cathy Hollis was one of those that got the chance to speak to HRH.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “It’s great to get such a prestigious member of the royal family to come to the Lake District and see what we’re doing.”