Local councillors called for action to improve recycling services in rural areas after attending a 'Zero Waste' workshop.

A report examining a range of options is now to be prepared and submitted to councillors in the near future.

The workshop, organised by Fife Council environmental services, considered a number of issues about waste management in north east Fife.

Councillors learned that over 47 per cent of the area's waste was recycled or composted in 2008-09, compared to 43 per cent for Fife a whole.

Recycling performance for the first quarter of this financial year was even better, with over 52 per cent of north east Fife's waste being diverted from landfill.

Councillor Andrew Arbuckle, chair of the north east Fife area committee, said: "My fellow councillors were pleased to participate in the workshop and were very happy to note that the huge improvements in the way waste is managed in Fife are being maintained.

"The commitment of householders in this area to recycling and composting is all the more pleasing.

"Thanks are due to them for helping Fife to meet its goal of becoming the leading green council."

However, Councillor Arbuckle confirmed that he and his colleagues would like to see more action to improve waste management services to households that don't benefit from recycling services, especially those in rural areas.

"It's vital that all households are able to make a contribution to the council's recycling targets," he said.

"That is a particular challenge in rural areas, and needs to be addressed".

Environmental sustainability manager, Chris Ewing, accepted that more should be done.

He said: "We'll begin work on identifying options that the area committee may wish to test as soon as time permits."