If you work in the construction, demolition, wood processing, landscaping, forestry or tree care industries, chances are that you are generating waste wood on a regular basis. Wood is one of the most valuable resources on this planet. By encouraging your business to recycle its wood using a green waste collection service, you will be making a positive difference to the environment whilst boosting the company’s green credentials. It’s a win, win right?
The good news is that many UK businesses are beginning to recognise the value of recycling wood. In 2020, the Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) released new figures which showed that the amount of waste wood being processed for recycling in the UK increased by 6% in 2019 to 3.98 million tonnes. With an estimated 4.5 million tonnes of waste wood up for grabs in the UK, it’s reassuring to see that so much of this is now being recycled (source: Resource).
The Covid-19 pandemic has inevitably affected the amount of waste wood that is being recycled due to the temporary closure of Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) last year. It is now more important than ever before to ensure your business is recycling its waste wood wherever possible so that recycling figures can continue to improve year-on-year. Read on to discover DCW’s top four reasons why you should be using a recycling solution for your waste wood.
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Wood is incredibly valuable
Did you know that the waste wood you generate every day as a construction worker, tree surgeon or garden centre employee is incredibly valuable? This renewable resource is considered one of the most valuable recycled materials as it can be used to manufacturer a range of products, the most common being animal bedding, biomass fuel and feedstock for panel board. Waste wood can also be used in the paper production sector as well as equestrian and landscaping surfaces, play areas and more. The possibilities are almost endless.
By recycling waste wood, we reduce the need to create virgin materials which in turn, reduces energy costs. Manufacturing virgin materials requires a lot of energy to extract and process the materials and that includes burning fossil fuels (source: Recycling Inside). At DCW, we supply and deliver BSL approved renewable heat biomass woodchip to businesses across the South West. Made from waste wood, this woodchip is used to heat homes, hotels and even schools. You can find out more about how we recycle waste wood by clicking here.
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Save the trees and combat the illegal wildlife trade
By recycling waste wood, we reduce the need to cut down trees for new material. Whilst deforestation has slowed down in recent years, it still remains a concern. The annual rate of deforestation was estimated at 10 million hectares between 2015 and 2020 compared to 12 million from 2010 to 2015 (source: UN News). It’s positive to see this number declining but 10 million hectares is still a cause for concern. Many companies claim that they replant trees for every one they cut down but trees take a fair old while to grow.
There are a number of reasons why forests are vital to the planet. Not only are they important to biodiversity, but they contribute to our own everyday lives too. Anssi Pekkarinen, Senior Forestry Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, said: “We need to step up efforts to halt deforestation in order to unlock the full potential of forests in contributing to sustainable food production, poverty alleviation, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change while sustaining the production of all the other goods and services they provide” (source: UN News).
By helping to reduce the need for deforestation, you will also be helping to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Deforestation in places like Borneo create easy access to remote areas for trophy and wildlife hunters. This is affecting a variety of species but particularly elephants and orangutans. According to a recent study, between 1999 and 2015, 100,000 orangutans perished in Borneo alone as a result of human activities (source: Sustainability Times). You can help turn this devastating figure around by recycling your waste wood today.
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Help create more job opportunities
We’ve discussed how recycling your waste wood can help the environment, but did you know that you could be creating new job opportunities too? The more material you recycle means the need for more recycling and processing facilities which means more jobs. It has been estimated that recycling, re-use and composting creates six to 10 times as many jobs as waste incineration and landfills (source: Apollo Equipment). With the current unemployment rate at 4.9% and this expecting to rise by 6.5% at the end of the year due to the pandemic (source: BBC News), now is the perfect time to consider whether you could do more to recycle your waste wood and create those much needed jobs.
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Recycling will improve your environmental credentials
It’s no secret that we’re all a lot more tuned in to how our actions effect the environment and as a result, consumers are now choosing to purchase goods and services from companies who they know boast sustainability credentials. By recycling your waste wood with DCW, you can claim that not a single bit of your waste goes to landfill. We are proud to be a Zero to Landfill waste management and recycling provider, diverting over 40,000 tonnes from landfill every year. Use our services and you can gain green certifications and be recognised as an environmentally sustainable company.
How can DCW help?
Our team of green waste experts can help you dispose of your waste wood and other green waste responsibly. We can offer a bespoke service tailored to your needs. Our tipping fee is only £65 per tonne and we offer competitive haulage rates. All green waste is converted into compost for domestic and agricultural use and we will even provide you with the container to collect your green waste in.
If you’d like to find out more about DCW services, call the team today on 01392 690193 or email sales@dcw.co.uk.