Recycling waste in the Highlands and Islands could be poised to play an expanding  role in the region's economy according to a report just published.

Formerly dogged by troubles such as a collapse in demand for recycled products, it is becoming clear that community controlled waste management groups such as Homeaid in Caithness or Bute Wastewatchers in Argyll hold great potential for achieving aims set out by the Scottish Executive.

These involve not only a much sought after reduction in waste going to landfill sites, but also the provision of jobs and training placements, low cost household goods and a presence in the field of waste disposal that will help keep the service competitive.

The average UK increase in household waste is running at around 3 per cent per year. The Government aims to achieve a zero rate increase by 2010, but in the Highlands the figure in 2004 was some 6.5 per cent higher than the previous year.

According to the report prepared for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) by the Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) there are currently 33 active recycling organisations in the HIE area with another 19 likely to come on stream. They have an annual turn-over of £9m.

However, the report suggests this figure could be significantly increased particularly if groups become more business orientated and look to diversify into the lucrative market of recycling commercial waste as well as domestic items.

Next year a new EU directive will prevent all waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) goods such as hair dryers or televisions from being dumped, putting not-for-profit waste management firms such as ILM in Alness in a prime position to use their expertise to greater advantage.

ILM now employs 44 staff with outlying premises in Poolewe, Invergordon and Lairg. Their activities range from cavity and loft insulation, two care and repair projects and two handyman projects fitting security devices for the vulnerable and elderly.

In addition to this, explained general manager Andy Dytch, they operate two environmental improvement schemes providing work for long term unemployed and hope to expand their provision of commercial training.

"In the last four years we have been getting into waste management and have a contract with the Highland Council to handle discarded white goods. We either repair them for reuse or dismantle them for recycling. We handled 14,000 units last year providing six full-time jobs and 20 training places."

The innovative company has now entered the arena of plastics recycling taking items such as discarded bale wrap, feed bags and plastic pipes from the aquaculture and agriculture industry and converting them into a product that can be used to make new goods.

Andy said: "We took in 1,200 tonnes last year and will be processing around 2,500 tonnes this year. It's good for the industry that they don't have to pay for expensive landfill, good that the material goes on to be useful again instead of lying in the ground and provides five jobs that weren't there before.

"We are gearing up to provide a solution for waste disposal when the WEEE directive comes into force and are exploring a relationship with manufacturers - who will have a responsibility for the disposal of their product - to handle that side of it for them in the north of Scotland."

Author of the report, David Bryan, development officer with CRNS confirmed: "Community recycling organisations across the Highlands and Islands are rapidly developing into effective, efficient social enterprises. Over the past couple of years there has been significant investment in plant, premises, training and business planning. The sector is now able to offer a wide range of products and services to public and private sector customers."

Bill Taylor, HIE's heritage manager said: "This work clearly shows HIE that the community recycling sector provides an invaluable service across the Highlands and Islands. The really exciting prospect is that they can further grow their efforts in the domestic waste sector and expand further into the far bigger commercial sector. What is rubbish to one person can bring great benefits to others. The HIE network looks forward to working with these dedicated groups in the future."
 
Below is a list of some of the region's community organisations that are actively recycling and managing waste:

• Enviroglass (Shetland) - Mick Clifton - 01595 694688
• Homeaid (Caithness) - Avril Kelbie - 01847890696
• Golspie Recycling and Environmental Network (GREAN) (Sutherland) - Fergus Morrison - 01408 634253
• ILM (Highland) - Andy Dytch - 01349 884774
• Blythswood (Ross-shire) - George Dunn - 01349 830777
• Moray Wastebusters - David Munro - 07760 374406
• Lochaber Environmental Group - Susan Carstairs - 0139770009
• Bute Wastewatchers (Argyll) - Tony Edwards -  01700 503181
• Ness Initiative (WIE) - Samantha Hawkins - 01851 810800/300
• Touchwood (SALE) - John Jones - 01478 611328