One of the questions frequently asked of us, is – Where do you get all of your timber from?
The simple answer is Construction and Manufacturing.
Working with the Construction industry we clear their waste timber and process this into Biomass for power generation. At the end of each build there is usually surplus materials that have not been used. We are able to bring this material back to our barn to sort and stack for our customers to purchase cheaper than they could from major timber/DIY retailers. Previously this timber would have been destined for Biomass as the Construction industry had no mechanism for getting this timber into the retail market. With our project, this material can be recovered for re-use (which is top of the Heirachy of Waste) and it reduces demand for timber to be cut down and processed to replace it.
Manufacturing waste streams have, traditionally, been pallets and packaging materials. Single-use pallets are used because they are lightweight and reduce transport costs. However, by their very nature, they do not survive careless handling and are destined for Biomass quite quickly. More robust pallets are put back into the logistics supply chain where possible, again reducing demand for new ones. Some machinery is shipped on platforms and we strip this material for re-use or supply them as bases for sheds and outbuildings. Pallet collars can be re-used in the industry or often by gardeners as stackable compost bins.
Demolition also plays a part in the supply of material as we can reduce the costs of removal and also put heritage timbers into the Architectural Salvage market, which is good news for anybody renovating a period property.
Other timbers come from sources we had not thought about, such as the oak boardwalk from Wakehurst Place which was replaced in May 2018 or ply sheeting from machinery being moved into Gatwick Airport.