Social Enterprise Flourishes
Issued: 14 December 2007
RTV is working closely with the North East Social Enterprise Partnership's (NESEP) Inspire Programme, the Development Trust’s Association (DTA), Recycling IT (Europe) and a wide range of local organisations to ensure that social enterprises in the Tees Valley capitalise on the business and employment opportunities lurking in the local wastestream.
The vibrancy of the social enterprise sector is reflected in a range of innovative projects, including:-
- Spruce Tees Valley Limited has been set up by North Ormesby Neighbourhood Development Trust, FRADE and RTV to create jobs and training opportunities by recovering, re-using and recycling the 2,000 tonnes of carpets sent to Landfill each year in the Tees Valley. With on-going support from RTV and NESEP, it now has a business plan in place and is seeking funding to employ a development officer, who will initially train up to six young people to trim and re-lay recovered carpets. The project is based on a successful model developed in Glasgow and was initiated after an RTV study indicated that it was economically sustainable in the Tees Valley.
- RTV and NESEP are also exploring the commercial potential of another highly problematical element of the waste stream - mattresses. RTV has commissioned a feasibility study to assess the potential feedstock available to a mattress recycling operation (the RECOIL project); the buildings/equipment that would be required and whether the potential markets would make a recycling business sustainable. The report will be available before Christmas.
- A project involving the training and employment of disabled people and others in the re-styling and re-manufacture of discarded clothing into fashion statements for sale through E-Bay has been given new momentum by an RTV/NESEP feasibility study. Operated by the House of Avalon, the commercial arm of the Avalon charity, the potential of the scheme has been recognised by Cleveland College of Art and Design, which has incorporated it into its curriculum for new students.
- Many towns in the USA have a salvage facility that ensures architectural heritage is not lost to Landfill when the developers move in. RTV's project to establish a Building Materials Recycling Centre in the Tees Valley has taken this concept and broadened it to embrace the recovery of basic materials from the building and demolition sectors. Enthusiastically received by all potential stakeholders, the project was carried forward by a steering group. RTV and Community Campus '87 have provided further momentum by providing £15,000 each towards the cost of a development officer. A site on the emerging South Tees Eco Park has been earmarked for the centre and included in the planning application submitted by Graphite Resources.
The project will be called RE-BUILD - website coming soon! - In Hartlepool, RTV is helping Owton Fens Community Association investigate the potential of collecting used cooking oils as the feedstock for a biofuels production operation. The end product would provide a locally -produced source of green fuel for Council vehicles. The Association's SHELV project already provides training and employment for young people in a breakers’ yard that runs an authorised End of Life Vehicle operation.