RECENT research, funded by Fife Council's Development Services, into the potential business opportunities for social enterprises across Fife in the environmental and biodiversity fields has highlighted opportunities for them and Fife Council to work together to increase the Kingdom's recycling rate and encourage the reuse of materials.

The Council, through the Fife Social Economy Partnership, already works with a number of social enterprise companies across the Kingdom that are involved with the environmental sector, including Furniture Plus, Recycle Fife and FEAT Enterprises.

Furniture Plus is Fife's largest furniture charity and raises awareness of reuse and recycling in the community by providing low-cost furnishings and white goods to the public in general and to those in the community requiring extra support. Recycle Fife's aim is to supply every business in Fife with a container for aluminium/steel cans as part of a kerbside collection scheme and collect paper from offices for recycling. FEAT Enterprises newest venture - Springback - aims to recycle unwanted mattresses to decrease the volume of waste sent to landfill. The work carried out by these companies helps Fife meet its environmental targets and plays an important role in Fife's economy, providing training and job opportunities for members of the local community.

Fraser Thomson, Head of Environmental Services said: "Social enterprises face considerable competition in the market place for environmental and biodiversity services. The review carried out has highlighted that there are further opportunities for the Council, together with the social enterprises, to continue to build on the excellent work already taking place, which we are very keen to do."

Councillor John Cameron, Fife Council's Spokesperson for Development and Planning said: "Social Enterprises are an important and expanding part of the Fife economy. A recent survey of 27 social enterprises in Fife revealed they employ around 218 people and provide volunteering opportunities for over 500 people. I'm sure that the Council and the social enterprises will continue the excellent work, providing an even greater contribution to the community."

The Fife Social Economy Partnership is made up of representatives from Fife Council's Development Services, Policy and Organisational Development, Scottish Enterprise Fife, Communities Scotland, Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) Fife, Fife HARCA, FEAT Enterprises and BRAG Enterprises.