WRAP Research Seeks End Markets for Recycled Wood

Research commissioned by the Waste & Resources Action Programme to explore all potential landscaping uses for waste wood in a local authority environment has identified a variety of completely new and innovative uses, many of which provide additional benefits, such as marking picnic spots under trees, reducing erosion on steep banks and mopping up muddy areas around car parks or by the water’s edge.

Conducted by researchers from the University College Northampton SITA Centre for Sustainable Wastes Management at Redditch Borough Council in the West Midlands, the study showed these new uses equated to 16 percent (1,998m3) of the authority’s total potential need for landscaping material (12,187m³). 

Traditional uses of recycled woodchip such as plant bed mulching, pathway surfacing and play area covering make up 61 percent (7,455m³) of the potential requirement, but the research also identified 23 percent (2,734m³) of ‘other’ previously unidentified or less obvious opportunities for mulching and pathway surfacing.

Using recycled woodchip for these new and ‘other’ applications also brings a variety of benefits.  Areas that may previously have been unsuitable for public access become usable, maintenance is greatly reduced due to the product’s effectiveness as a weed suppressant and its long lasting properties mean that topping up is only infrequently required.  Using other traditional loose surfacing materials for these types of applications would almost certainly be too cost prohibitive whereas recycled woodchip can even offer savings in terms of whole life costs.  Its versatility and long lasting properties also makes it ideal for use where shredded garden waste would not be suitable.

Following on from this study, which was commissioned as part of WRAP’s ongoing campaign to increase procurement of recycled woodchip for landscaping use, the organization is looking for other local authorities to trial the product.  Anyone interested should contact Julia Turner, Material Development Manager - Wood, at WRAP on 01295 819631 or via e-mail on julia.turner@wrap.org.uk.