Keeping timber out of the waste stream is a very important aspect of Ashe’s recycling plan.

All of Ashe’s waste timber is collected from our sites and sorted for reuse by not for profit organisation Community Wood Recycling  (CWR) to make sure not even a splinter goes to waste.

CWR is a nationwide network of social enterprises and charities providing workplace training and volunteering opportunities to people facing issues such unemployment, homelessness, mental health challenges, addiction recovery, offender rehabilitation, and learning and physical disability in 27 stores across the country. Each store stocks a wide range of good quality, competitively priced reclaimed timber and other wood products.

Ashe’s site staff simply gather any off cuts throughout the week and call for a collection to be made. Rather than using skips, CWR sends a caged transit-type vehicle reducing emissions and particulate pollution.  Their staff carefully load the timber on board so no space is wasted to ensure every journey to site is as efficient as possible.

Ashe’s materials buyer Lauren David said: “Every quarter CWR sends us a report so we can monitor the social and environmental impact of our wood recycling. For example, during July, August and September, they helped us rescue 27.1 tonnes of timber from the waste stream and we saved an enormous 13 tonnes of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere.

“Over two tonnes of our waste was reused by the community for DIY or building projects or made into lovely products such as bird boxes or dining tables by CWR employees and trainees. They also recycled four tonnes for firewood and kindling and over 20 tonnes was recycled into woodchip which is reused in things like particleboard, animal bedding or carbon neutral fuel in power stations.”

Over at MK East in Milton Keynes where Ashe is creating a £14.5m school and £9.5m health hub, the team has just received a certificate to show that during the entire project, 33 site collections were made diverting a whopping 56.6 tonnes of wood from the waste stream.

One of the byproducts of Ashe being involved in the CWR is the contribution wood waste recycling makes to paid jobs and training for disadvantaged people.

CWR Managing Director Richard Mehmed said: “By partnering with Community Wood Recycling, Ashe is not only building a circular economy but also empowering vulnerable community members. Our collaboration is a testament to Ashe’s commitment to creating social value and a greener future for us all.  We are very grateful for this support.”